On Sunday, Congress leaders in Karnataka, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, staged a sit-in protest in the state capital, decrying what they called the "inadequate release of flood relief funds" by the central government. The protest, held concurrently with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha campaign in the state, highlighted the party's grievances regarding the distribution of drought relief funds.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed dissatisfaction with the central government's allocation of Rs 3,454 crore, asserting that it fell short of the state's request for Rs 18,171 crore in drought relief funds. Describing the release as unjust, he emphasized the discrepancy between the state's needs and the central government's response.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar echoed Siddaramaiah's sentiments, accusing the central government of employing a "step-motherly" approach by allocating only a fraction of the requested funds. He emphasized the party's stance on advocating for the rights of Kannadigas rather than supplicating to the center.
Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, leading the protest in Bengaluru, characterized the central government's decision as vindictive, particularly towards the farmers benefiting from the Rythu Bandhu scheme. Surjewala's assertion that Karnataka would withhold support from the BJP underscored the party's discontent with the allocation of relief funds.
During the protest, Congress leaders prominently displayed water pots (Chombu), symbolizing their perception of emptiness and deceit in the central government's response. The gesture served as a visual representation of their dissatisfaction and their commitment to addressing the plight of drought-affected communities in Karnataka.
The backdrop to the protest is the severe drought experienced by Karnataka last year, resulting in extensive crop losses and financial damage across the state. With a significant portion of the state declared drought-hit and substantial agricultural losses reported, the demand for adequate relief funding reflects the urgency of addressing the ongoing crisis.
