Kumaraswamy Questions CM Over Drought, Farmer Distress and Mass Migration from Kalyana Karnataka
Bengaluru: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday launched a blistering attack on the Karnataka Chief Minister, accusing him of undertaking “jolly trips” across the state in the guise of progress review meetings and acting with gross irresponsibility towards Karnataka’s irrigation and water interests.
Addressing a press conference at JP Bhavan, Kumaraswamy said the Chief Minister’s recent visits to Kalaburagi, Bidar and Belagavi had failed to address the distress of farmers, agricultural labourers and drought-affected families, while his statements on the proposed Krishna-Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project exposed a lack of even basic understanding of Karnataka’s water interests.
“The Chief Minister is travelling across the length and breadth of the state in the name of progress reviews. His visits to Kalaburagi and Belagavi were nothing but jolly trips. His statement that Karnataka has consented to the linking of the Krishna, Godavari and Cauvery rivers is the height of irresponsibility. He appears to have no basic understanding of the serious irrigation challenges confronting Karnataka,” Kumaraswamy said.
The Union Minister said he had been closely observing the functioning of the new government and the new Chief Minister since assuming office, hoping that there would be a visible change in governance.
“I have been observing his functioning every single day. Looking at his conduct, I do not know whose ears he intends to adorn with flowers every day. Congress leaders once walked into the Assembly wearing flowers on their ears. Now, this Chief Minister appears determined to put flowers not merely on the ears of the Opposition, but on the ears of the entire people of Karnataka,” Kumaraswamy remarked sarcastically.
He said he had initially hoped that the Chief Minister would set aside old practices and bring about meaningful change in the administration.
“I had a daydream that he would leave behind the old ways and usher in real change for the people of Karnataka. Unfortunately, what we are witnessing is entirely different,” he said.
*‘No Opposition to River-Linking, But Karnataka Must Know Its Share’*
Clarifying his position on interlinking of rivers, Kumaraswamy said he was not opposed to the concept and maintained that river-linking projects were necessary. However, he stressed that the state government must first understand how much water Karnataka would actually receive before extending its consent to any proposal.
“I have no objection to river interlinking. The project should be implemented. But before discussing the linking of the Godavari and Cauvery, should the Chief Minister not know how much water has been allocated to Karnataka? Does he even know how much water was secured for the state after the sustained struggle of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda?” Kumaraswamy asked.
*‘CM Touring State on Jolly Trips in Name of Progress Reviews’*
Turning to the Chief Minister’s two-day tour of North Karnataka, Kumaraswamy alleged that progress reviews and the SIR process had become mere excuses for political tours and dinner meetings.
“The Chief Minister is on a two-day jolly trip in the name of progress reviews and SIR. Is he touring the state merely to hold dinner meetings?” Kumaraswamy asked.
He said he had initially believed that the Chief Minister was travelling to understand the problems of the people at a time when parts of Karnataka were facing drought and other regions were dealing with flood-related distress.
“One part of the state is suffering from drought and another is facing flood conditions. At such a time, the Chief Minister is wasting precious time on jolly trips,” he said.
Kumaraswamy questioned the Chief Minister’s announcement that ₹1 crore would be provided to every Assembly constituency for drinking water requirements.
“Where will this money come from? Has an action plan been prepared? What is the mechanism for releasing and utilising these funds?” he asked.
The Union Minister said people in Kalyana Karnataka and North Karnataka were migrating in large numbers in search of employment because of drought and loss of livelihoods.
“People are leaving their villages in groups. They are migrating to Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere and other places in search of work. Farmers who sowed crops have suffered crop losses. Agricultural labourers have lost employment. Families are struggling even for food,” he said.
“People are moving to cities, setting up temporary camps and facing hardship every single day. During your two-day tour, did you give them any confidence? Did you offer them any assurance?” Kumaraswamy asked.
“Was this genuinely a two-day official tour or merely a jolly trip?” Kumaraswamy asked.