In a rare silence in the Upper House, 92-year-old former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda implored the Central Government to tackle Karnataka's deepening water crisis and irrigation woes. As he spoke on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s speech, the “Son of the Soil” choked with tears as he described the problems of farmers in his home state.
A Humble Plea for Humanity
With folded hands and trembly voice, the aged leader said, “I am at the fag end of my life. My Rajya Sabha term ends in a month. I plead with this House with folded hands—Please make sure the drinking water problem in Karnataka is solved.” He stressed that the crisis goes beyond politics, implicating millions of citizens who are “begging” for a minimum amount of water.
Key Issues Raised:
- Stalled Projects: Gowda pointed to several irrigation and drinking water projects — the Upper Bhadra and Mekedatu among them — that are in limbo waiting for central clearances.
- Inter-State Disputes: Karnataka is constantly struggling with disputes with Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Goa, which he noted adds fuel to the fire.
- Belief in PM Modi: Notwithstanding the emotive importance, Gowda reasserted the support for the NDA by the alliance, declaring that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the diplomacy and “patriotism” to address the long-standing issues.
Defending the Alliance and the Farmer
Addressing the Opposition’s criticism of recent trade deals, Gowda defended the Prime Minister’s "strategic silence," which he said was more effective at achieving national goals than words conveyed. He dismissed the idea that the government was losing the farmers’ interest and claimed that he would be the first to confront the PM if agriculture were ever in jeopardy.
The speech concluded with a standing ovation from several members, as Deputy Chairman Harivansh wished the former Prime Minister a healthy and long life. The speech also gave Karnataka a harsh reminder of the upcoming drought and an overwhelming need for a real cure to the state's water shortage.
