Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has called for an all-party effort to solve the worsening drought crisis in the state and said that the Central Government should provide financial assistance and consider a loan waiver to affected farmers.
Shivakumar said he would go to Bagalkot to assess the drought situation and visit Vijayanagara the next day.
The government is seeking feedback from ministers and legislators so that we can see the ground situation in different constituencies, he said.
Shivakumar said MLAs from various political parties, including BJP, JD(S) and Congress, had approached him on the ground to express concern over farmers and the effects of drought in their respective areas.
The special session has been convened to ensure that these issues get proper attention and that legislators get an opportunity to discuss the situation, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also criticised the BJP and JD(S), saying political conflicts were keeping farmers’ concerns from being discussed at the level of discussions on the ground and their issues of farmers’ problems.
He said the government should be taking into account the situation on the ground and providing all possible help to affected communities.
Shivakumar said Karnataka needs financial help from the Centre to tackle the drought effectively. He suggested that the state must take an all-party approach and seek relief measures and more funds from the central government.
When BJP state president B Y Vijayendra demanded a farm loan waiver, Shivakumar said the Centre should take responsibility for it.
To that end, he said, Narendra Modi did not take any ownership of the drought problem and asked BJP leaders in Karnataka to join the state government in calling for help from Delhi.
Bengaluru | Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar says, "Tomorrow I am going to Vijayanagara and today to Bagalkot to assess the drought situation... I have also heard the views of all the ministers in my Cabinet... You have seen the kind of politics being played by the BJP and JD(S). They… pic.twitter.com/VGYNohwr6W
— ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2026
“Vijayendra, R Ashoka, and all the other BJP leaders should come with me to Delhi and demand that the Central Government waive the farmers’ loans,” Shivakumar said.
The remarks come as Karnataka is still struggling to understand the impact of drought on agriculture and rural livelihoods.
Farmers suffering crop losses, water scarcity, and financial pressure are seeking government help to cope with the effects of droughts, poor rainfall, and difficult agricultural conditions.
Shivakumar said political parties should put differences aside and work together to relieve farmers. Representatives from every constituency should communicate the problems faced by people on the ground so that the government can formulate appropriate measures.
The Karnataka government will now focus on assessing drought-affected areas and compiling the needs for relief.
Central assistance, including financial assistance and a possible farm loan waiver, could become a key political issue in the state.
As Shivakumar has pushed for an all-party delegation to Delhi, there will be renewed discussions between Karnataka’s ruling Congress and opposition parties on the role of the Centre to tackle the drought-related issues.
