BJP-JD(S) alliance bigger issue for Siddaramaiah than drought: Kumarswamy

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy on Monday hit back at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for asking the former to use their alliance with the BJP to further the interest of Karnataka.

Kumaraswamy claimed that Siddaramaiah was more worried about the pre-poll alliance between the JD(S) and the saffron party rather than the drought prevalent in the state.

The CM had promised that he would take the drought report which was to be submitted by 31 teams of the JD(S) in as many districts of Karnataka seriously.

However, he balanced praise for the exercise of the “responsible Opposition party” with the demand that they ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release the compensation due to Karnataka under National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).

The State government has declared that 216 out of 236 taluks in the state are drought-hit. A total crop loss of Rs 33,710 crore has been estimated, and compensation of Rs 17,901 crore has been requested from the Centre.

Responding to Siddaramaiah’s demand, Kumaraswamy said that the Gowda family would raise the issue of drought prevalent in the state and the row over Cauvery river water sharing.

“However, it appears that the alliance between the BJP and JD(S) has become a bigger problem to you compared to the drought, has it not?” Kumaraswamy asked the CM.