'Depute Central Team': Shivakumar Urges PM On Karnataka Drought; BJP Says 'Stop Writing Letters, Deliver Relief'
'Depute Central Team': Shivakumar Urges PM On Karnataka Drought; BJP Says 'Stop Writing Letters, Deliver Relief' Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 07:57 IST
'Depute Central Team': Shivakumar Urges PM On Karnataka Drought; BJP Says 'Stop Writing Letters, Deliver Relief' Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 07:57 IST Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar urged PM Modi to send a central team to assess the state's drought due to rainfall deficit. BJP criticized the Congress government for inaction. Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar. (File photo) Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to depute a central team to assess the drought situation in the state, citing a 30 per cent rainfall deficit, delayed monsoon and its growing impact on agriculture, drinking water and reservoir levels. The appeal, however, drew a sharp response from the BJP, which accused the Congress government of failing to provide relief and focusing on “writing letters" instead of taking action. In a letter to the prime minister, Shivakumar said Karnataka had already initiated drought mitigation measures but stressed that an early assessment by the Centre would strengthen the state’s efforts to tackle the worsening situation. “I request that a Central Team may kindly be deputed to Karnataka to assess the prevailing situation on the ground.
Such a visit would provide a first-hand appreciation of the severity of the emerging drought conditions and reassure the farming community that the Government of India stands with them in this difficult period," he wrote. The chief minister said the state was witnessing a 30 per cent rainfall deficit due to the delayed monsoon, which had adversely affected crop sowing, depleted reservoir levels and heightened concerns over drinking water availability. Reacting to the letter, Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra launched a scathing attack on Shivakumar, asking him to focus on drought relief instead of writing to the prime minister. “Instead of writing letters to the Prime Minister when drought strikes, lay out before the people what you and your government have done for drought relief," Vijayendra said in a post on X. He questioned the state government’s preparedness, alleging that ministers had failed to conduct promised drought reviews and that key portfolios remained ineffective. Vijayendra also pointed out that Karnataka was yet to appoint an Agriculture Minister and claimed that ministers were preoccupied with issues unrelated to drought management.
Accusing the chief minister of neglecting public concerns, Vijayendra urged him to “set aside" other priorities and immediately announce relief measures, including providing Rs 50,000 as drought relief to affected farmers. He also called on the government to appoint ministers to conduct district-wise drought assessments until a central team visits the state. The exchange comes as Karnataka braces for a possible drought amid a delayed monsoon, with both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP trading charges over the state’s preparedness and response. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered What specific relief measures will Karnataka implement for farmers? Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to depute a central team to assess the state's drought situation, citing a 30% rainfall deficit. The state government has initiated contingency measures and prioritized water conservation. How will the central team's assessment impact state aid? Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to depute a central team to assess the state's drought situation, citing a 30% rainfall deficit.
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