Opposition refuses to be part of all-party delegation to Center for drought relief

The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly has accused the Congress government of a lack of commitment to help farmers in drought-hit Karnataka. | Photo credit: SK Dinesh

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) have refused to be part of a proposed all-party delegation planned by the Karnataka government to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seek central assistance in drought relief.

On Sunday, Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashok said they would not be part of the proposed delegation.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is leaving for Delhi on Monday to attend the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday. The Chief Minister had earlier hinted that the government was seeking a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and an all-party delegation from Karnataka.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said the state representatives could go alone and there was no need for an all-party delegation. At the end of a four-day special session called to discuss drought, farm issues and the Kasturangan Committee report, the Chief Minister announced that an all-party delegation would be taken to the Prime Minister to seek central assistance in drought relief efforts.

“What will you do if you take a delegation of all parties to the center? It will add to the expenses of the national treasury. Spending on flights and staying in star hotels are unnecessary expenses. Couldn’t someone go and talk to the center?” the Union minister told reporters on Sunday. Stating that he would not say the state was bankrupt, he said: “It is you who are sitting on an empty coffers.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ashok said they will not go to the Center to seek funds for drought relief. “We are ready to meet the Union minister regarding the Kasturirangana report. We will not be part of the drought delegation,” he said. He accused the Congress government of a lack of commitment to help farmers in drought-hit Karnataka.

Central team arrives for drought assessment

After Karnataka’s first memorandum to the Center regarding the drought situation, estimating a loss of around ₹18,000 crore and demanding about ₹3,800 crore as assistance from the Centre, a team from the Union government will arrive in Karnataka on October 3 to conduct a drought assessment.

The team will visit drought-affected areas for three days from October 4 and hold discussions with Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on October 7.

While 177 taluks out of 240 taluks in the state have been declared drought-affected, ground drills are being conducted in another 50 taluks. Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara said more than 200 taluks could eventually be declared drought-hit, with an estimated loss of about ₹40,000 crore.

Published – 27 Sep 2026 20:07 IST