CM Shivakumar Calls for Farm Loan Waiver, Urges BJP Leaders to Join Delhi Push

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday urged the Centre to waive farm loans in the state, citing the ongoing drought situation, and called on BJP leaders to join an all-party delegation to New Delhi to press the demand.

Shivakumar made the appeal ahead of his visit to drought-affected areas in Bagalkote and Vijayanagar districts. He said the Centre should provide financial assistance and take responsibility for a farm loan waiver, noting that BJP state president B Y Vijayendra had also raised the demand.

The Chief Minister said the state legislature’s special session from September 21 to 23 would focus on the drought situation, the agrarian crisis and the Kasturirangan report concerning the proposed Western Ghats eco-sensitive zone. He criticised the BJP and JD(S) for failing to adequately discuss the farmers’ crisis during the recently concluded monsoon session.

Shivakumar also defended the government’s decision to withdraw the controversial Parks Bill, which proposed allowing up to five per cent of park land to be used for public infrastructure and utility projects under specified safeguards.

Rejecting opposition allegations that the legislation was intended to facilitate the Bengaluru tunnel-road project, he said the Bill had been withdrawn to enable wider discussion and public awareness. He accused the BJP of being “anti-development” and challenged the opposition to suggest alternatives to address the city’s growing traffic congestion.

The CM further said he would release records concerning the use of park land during previous BJP governments led by B S Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai.

On criticism that he had made a “U-turn”, Shivakumar said he remained open to suggestions but denied that the Bill was aimed at selling park land.

Responding to allegations linked to the Valmiki ST Development Corporation, he said former minister B Nagendra had resigned voluntarily. On prosecution-sanction requests involving Nagendra, BJP leaders Janardhan Reddy, Renukacharya and others, Shivakumar said he would take no decision without legally examining the files.