The Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, led a protest on Thursday alongside a BJP drought study team, engaging directly with farmers in a pigeon pea field at Karekal village in Ballari taluk. The demonstration aimed to highlight the severe distress faced by farmers due to inadequate rainfall and to criticise the state government for its perceived inaction regarding the situation.

Assessment Visits Conducted by BJP Team

As part of a comprehensive statewide assessment on drought conditions, the BJP delegation focused on areas like Sidaginamola and Karekal within the Ballari district. Members of the team assessed the condition of pigeon pea crops that were reportedly drying up due to the lack of rain. They also held discussions with local farmers to garner insights on crop losses and consulted relevant officials to obtain information about the ongoing ground realities.

During the protest, R Ashoka asserted that numerous districts across Karnataka are suffering under challenging drought conditions. He noted that a lack of adequate rainfall has led to wilting crops and considerable hardship for farmers trying to maintain their livelihoods. He further claimed that the state’s water reservoirs are almost depleted, leaving fields barren.

Furthermore, Ashoka expressed his concerns about the government’s lack of engagement with farmers. He remarked, “So far, no minister or senior official has visited farmers’ fields to understand the actual situation. The government has shown complete apathy.” He announced the intention for the BJP to conduct protests by sitting in farmers’ fields wherever drought assessments are being undertaken.

Demands for Compensation and Government Action

R Ashoka called on the government to declare a compensation package of ₹50,000 per acre for farmers who have suffered complete crop loss due to the ongoing drought conditions. He urged officials to prioritise immediate field visits to conduct surveys on crop losses and to initiate the disbursement of relief compensation without delay.

Participating in this protest were several BJP leaders, including MLAs Byrati Basavaraj, BP Harish, Krishna Naik, and former minister G Janardhana Reddy, who joined the drought study team to emphasise the collective urgency of the matter. After completing their activities in Ballari, the team planned to travel to the nearby Vijayanagara district to further assess the drought situation there.

Farmers in Ballari district have expressed significant concern regarding the ongoing drying of pigeon pea and other crops, attributing these issues to the lack of rain. They articulated their anxiety that, unless immediate governmental relief measures are implemented, the agriculture sector may experience even greater difficulties in the near future.

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