Hans News Service Bengaluru

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra accused the Congress government of failing to respond adequately to the difficulties faced by farmers amid the severe drought situation in Karnataka and demanded that the government provide at least Rs 50,000 compensation per acre.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP office on Tuesday, Vijayendra said there were expectations that the government would convene a special Assembly session to discuss the drought situation and take concrete measures to support farmers. However, he alleged that no serious steps had been taken to provide direct relief to farmers.

He said the BJP had demanded in both Houses of the legislature that farmers be provided a minimum compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre. Instead, the state government had provided only Rs 2,500, which he said was inadequate considering the extent of the farmers’ losses.

Vijayendra said the government should provide appropriate relief, help farmers deal with the burden of loans and ensure adequate power supply at a time when farmers were facing severe difficulties. He also alleged that the government was finding it difficult to implement its guarantee schemes.

Referring to a letter issued by the Finance Department, Vijayendra said it had raised serious questions about the state’s financial position. He demanded that Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister D.K. Shivakumar immediately issue a white paper on the actual financial condition of Karnataka.

He also alleged that beneficiaries of various social security schemes, including pensions for persons with disabilities and old-age pensions, were not receiving payments on time and that basic programmes such as housing for the poor were being affected.

Vijayendra alleged that the government was providing opportunities to political workers through guarantee implementation committees instead of prioritising people based on their needs. He said public funds should not be used for political purposes and that the government was accountable to taxpayers.

On allegations concerning a video conference reportedly conducted by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Vijayendra said the government should clarify claims that party workers were being given priority in the implementation of guarantee schemes. Beneficiaries, he said, should be selected based on their needs and not on lists prepared by Congress workers.

Vijayendra also criticised the government over the availability of three-phase electricity to farmers during the drought. He demanded that farmers be provided at least five hours of three-phase power every day and said electricity should be purchased from other states if necessary.

He also questioned Congress leaders’ protests against the Election Commission and the Chief Election Commissioner. Vijayendra said constitutional institutions should not be targeted in a manner that creates distrust among the public. He said electoral victories and defeats were part of democracy and alleged that questioning constitutional institutions after an electoral defeat was inappropriate.

On the proposed Congress padayatra from Shikaripura announced by B.K. Hariprasad, Vijayendra said he welcomed the move and claimed that it could have been inspired by the BJP’s Ballari Chalo padayatra. He said Shikaripura was the place that had shaped his political career and challenged Hariprasad to visit the constituency and see its development. Vijayendra said the BJP would strengthen its organisation from the booth level ahead of the forthcoming local body elections and prepare its workers for the polls.

On the proposed all-party delegation to the Centre over drought relief, Vijayendra said the state government should first fulfil its responsibility towards farmers. He reiterated the demand for Rs 50,000 compensation per acre and farm loan waivers, adding that if the state’s financial condition did not permit such relief, the government should openly acknowledge it.

He also demanded a comprehensive white paper on the state’s debt, expenditure on guarantee schemes and spending on other programmes, alleging that Karnataka’s debt burden had increased substantially during the Congress government’s tenure.