Kumaraswamy slams Centre on flood relief

BENGALURU: Senior JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Monday slammed the Bjp-led government in Karnataka for its “failure” to meet the expectations of farmers, who lost their land and livelihood in the floods.

Kumaraswamy specifically mentioned the distressed farmers of Chikkamagaluru district, which saw the devastating floods damaging crops in huge swaths of land and suicide by two farmers who were unable to bear the loss. He flayed the Udupi-chikkamagaluru BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje for not standing with the peasants.

“Thousands of families are in distress in Chikkamagaluru due to floods. Farmers are committing suicide as they were not getting any relief from the government,” Kumaraswamy tweeted.

“The Chikkamagaluru MP who should come out in support of the farmers is missing from the area, which shows her lack of concern for them,” he alleged.

Hitting back at the former Chief Minister, Karandlaje said, “Kumaraswamy has demonstrated what he is. If he says that I don’t know the sufferings of farmers then he must be knowing because he grew rich by growing potatoes.” Defending the Centre, she said the Centre has long term plans while releasing funds.

Chikkamagaluru made headlines after two farmers committed suicide recently. Kumaraswamy had visited their houses on Sunday and given a cheque of Rs two lakh to Chandre Gowda’s family and Rs one lakh to Channappa Gowda’s family.

The Centre had released Rs 1,200 crore flood relief as against the demand of Rs 35,000 crore by the State government. Chief minister BS Yediyurappa had said this was only the first instalment, while the second one was on the way.