Vijayapura: BJP state president BY Vijayendra on Friday questioned the release of around two TMC of water from the Narayanpur reservoir to Telangana, alleging that Karnataka's farmers were being neglected despite water shortages in the state.

Speaking to media representatives in Vijayapura, Vijayendra said information had been received that the process of releasing around two TMC of water from the Narayanpur reservoir to Telangana had begun.

He questioned the move, saying it was inappropriate to release water without taking Karnataka’s interests into account when farmers and people in the state were facing water shortages.

“As Telangana also has a Congress government, questions have arisen over whether the interests of Karnataka’s farmers are being sacrificed to maintain political and personal ties with leaders in that state. The state government clarify who had taken the decision to release the water and on what basis it was being done,” he questioned.

People and livestock in several parts of Karnataka were facing shortages of drinking water and fodder, he said, insisting that the government provide transparent information about the water release and take immediate steps to ensure that farmers’ interests were not harmed.

Vijayendra said the neighbouring state of Maharashtra was taking relief measures, including waiving agricultural loans. Karnataka should also respond to farmers' distress by waiving their loans, he demanded.

He called on the government to release the pending incentive payments for dairy farming announced during the tenure of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.

“Until the drought ended, milk producers should receive an additional incentive of Rs 5 per litre for at least five months. Farmers are distressed by crop losses, mounting debt and water shortages. Reports of farmers losing hope and suicide incidents are worrying,” he said.

He stated that in such circumstances, it was the government's responsibility to instil confidence among farmers and provide security for their livelihoods.

The BJP president accused the government of creating an atmosphere of intimidation by registering FIRs against BJP workers who had submitted Form-7 applications during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

He said the right to submit applications under the Election Commission’s prescribed procedures should not be portrayed as a criminal act for political reasons. He also referred to a case in which a court had granted a stay and demanded that the government stop registering cases targeting BJP workers.

“BJP workers would not be intimidated by such threats. The party has no need to bring down the Congress government. The people themselves would decide the government’s fate,” he said, accusing it of failing to address public grievances.

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