Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra called on the Congress-led state government Monday to push forward with a caste census—but only after tackling the urgent needs of struggling farmers hit hard by crop losses.
In Kalaburagi, Vijayendra slammed the government for ignoring farmers facing massive destruction from recent floods and heavy rains. “Don’t play games with farmers. Announce relief immediately,” he told reporters, urging quick action to help those who can’t even plant their next crop.
He questioned what key officials like Agriculture Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, and district in-charge ministers are doing to support affected Karnataka farmers. Vijayendra took particular aim at Priyank Kharge, the local minister, calling him out for staying “up in the sky” instead of visiting farmers’ fields on the ground.
“The one who lectures the entire state should step down, visit the fields, and respond to their distress,” Vijayendra said. He warned that the government must wake up from what he called a “Kumbhakarna sleep” and take responsibility, especially since 70 to 80 percent of crops are wiped out in many areas. Farmers aren’t even getting insurance payouts in some spots, he added.
Vijayendra highlighted the irony in Kharge’s own Chittapur constituency, where locals are demanding permanent flood relief for Karnataka farmers. He reminded leaders of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s hands-on approach during past floods, when he toured districts and delivered aid modeled on national disaster response funds. “The Centre will provide NDRF funds, but what is the state government doing? Don’t they have any responsibility?” Vijayendra asked.
Calling the Congress administration a “government of incompetents,” he stressed that opposition leaders like himself are stepping up to voice farmers’ concerns. “I’m not doing politics here—I’m urging the Chief Minister to send your ministers to the villages,” he said, noting his own plans to visit affected spots like Shikaripura and Hubballi.
Echoing these calls, Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said Karnataka’s development has ground to a halt, leaving people angry while ministers act scared. He pointed out that some areas have seen 100 percent crop destruction and pushed for priority compensation to Karnataka farmers. “BJP leaders like Vijayendra have rushed to the affected places to grab the government’s attention,” Narayanaswamy noted, criticizing ministers for staying stuck in Bengaluru instead of acting swiftly.
On a separate note, Narayanaswamy brushed off Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s prediction that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government would end after the Bihar elections. “Let him worry about his own losing ground,” he replied. “They talk big before polls, but change tune once results are out.”
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