Bengaluru, 28 Sept (H.S.): Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the state government would take the steps needed to protect drought-hit farmers even if opposition parties declined to join an all-party delegation seeking assistance from the Centre.

Speaking in Bengaluru, Shivakumar accused the BJP of political posturing over the drought. If its state leaders did not join the delegation and make Karnataka’s case to the Union government, their professed concern for farmers would be exposed as a sham, he said.

The government would not let disagreement over the delegation hold up action for farmers, he added. Shivakumar urged BJP leaders who had spoken of paying compensation of ₹25,000 or ₹50,000 to raise the issue with the Centre and seek the funds required for relief.

A central team is scheduled to arrive in Karnataka on October 3 to assess the drought. State officials would give its members all necessary cooperation within the law, the Chief Minister said. He said the assessment would give the visiting team an opportunity to examine conditions in affected areas and hear the state’s concerns.

Shivakumar also said he would soon set a date for an all-party meeting to discuss both the drought and the Kasturirangan report. The meeting would allow political parties to put forward their views before further discussions with the Union government.

He plans to raise the Kasturirangan report with the Centre and seek appointments with a Union minister and the Prime Minister to submit a memorandum setting out Karnataka’s concerns. He said the issue required discussion at the national level as well.

During his visit, Shivakumar said, he also intended to meet some Union ministers over issues concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the Chief Election Commissioner. He would attend the ongoing Congress Working Committee meeting as well. He did not give further details of those proposed discussions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman