Bangalore: Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, expressed disappointment over the fact that the Supreme Court had to intervene to ensure the release of drought relief funds from the Centre to the state.

Following the Supreme Court's intervention, the Union Finance Ministry agreed to release Rs 3,498.82 crore as drought relief funds to Karnataka. However, Shivakumar criticized the amount, labeling it as "inadequate." He stated that the state government had initially demanded Rs 18,000 crore as relief funds but was only sanctioned Rs 3,454 crore. In response, he announced plans for a protest near the Gandhi statue of the Vidhana Soudha on April 28, denouncing what he called "injustice."

Shivakumar highlighted the severity of the drought situation in Karnataka, stating that 223 taluks were currently affected. He pointed out that despite resolving the crisis in Bengaluru, farmers had suffered significant losses, estimating a total loss of Rs 35,161 crore due to the drought.

Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had tweeted, "This is perhaps the first time in the history of India that a state was driven to the Supreme Court to get its rights enforced." He also criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah, stating that he "finally woke up when the Supreme Court rang the bell."

DK Shivakumar further accused the Centre of failing to release an additional Rs 5,000 crore for water projects in the state, despite provisions being made for it in the Union Budget.

He also criticized JD(S) leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy for not raising the Mekedatu issue before his party formed an alliance with the BJP for the Lok Sabha elections, despite making a promise to do so.

Regarding the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the state, the Deputy Chief Minister expressed satisfaction with the polling process, despite a few incidents of minor scuffles and boycotts. He expressed confidence that Karnataka would achieve double-digit seats in the Lok Sabha, but refrained from commenting on the significance of the voter turnout.

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