Bengaluru: Congress in Karnataka, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, held a sit-in protest in the state capital on Sunday, alleging “injustice” and a “step-motherly” attitude towards the state in releasing drought relief funds.
During the protest, which took place simultaneously with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha campaign in the state, Congress leaders stated that the £345.4 mn released by the central government is not sufficient.
According to the Chief Minister, the state had sought £1.82 bn for drought relief. However, following the direction of the Supreme Court, the Union Finance Ministry agreed to release only £345.4 mn.
“Yesterday, the central government released only £345.4 mn, which is less than one-fourth of our request. This is an injustice to the state, and we protest against this injustice,” Siddaramaiah wrote on X, sharing visuals of the protest which was held within the state Assembly premises.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also participated in the protest, stated that “the central government has again followed a "step-motherly" policy by releasing only £345.4 mn. We are not begging before the centre; we are demanding the rights of Kannadigas. The BJP leaders and JDS leaders who are doing politics without standing with the farmers in the matter of drought relief are real traitors”.
Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, who led the protest in Bengaluru, wrote, the Centre’s decision “proves that Modi Govt is seeking revenge against 65 million Kannadigas, particularly Rythu Bandhu [a farmer investment scheme]”.
“Karnataka will give Khali Chombu (empty pot) to BJP - Bharatiya Chombu Party,” the Congress leader declared.
The Congress leaders were holding water pots (Chombu), which, according to them, symbolise emptiness and deception.
Last year, Karnataka witnessed severe drought across the state. The state government declared 226 out of the total 236 Taluks in Karnataka as drought-hit and reported crop loss in 48 lakh hectares of land. As per the official estimate, financial loss due to drought was around Rs 35,000 crore.
