A BJP delegation led by Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, toured flood-affected areas of Belagavi district on Friday to assess damage caused by heavy rains. The team inspected crop losses and infrastructure damage, including roads, houses, schools and anganwadis, while also interacting with distressed farmers.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan briefed the delegation about crop damage near Nesargi in Bailhongal taluk. Farmers such as Iranna Meeshipatil and Dyamappa Gujnatti expressed anger over the absence of ministers and MLAs and said proper surveys of farmland losses were yet to be conducted.
Ashoka criticised the Congress government for “ignoring flood-hit regions,” alleging ministers and officials had failed to visit affected areas. “Instead of focusing on relief, the government is busy with a caste-based social and educational survey,” he said, also hinting at political instability within the ruling party.
He demanded immediate compensation of ₹25,000 per acre for rainfed crop losses and ₹50,000 per acre for irrigated land, as per NDRF guidelines. Ashoka also raised concerns over poor-quality seeds being distributed to farmers.
The BJP leader urged the government to conduct a comprehensive damage survey and submit it to the Centre, accusing ministers of not visiting Delhi to seek Central aid or a team for assessment. He further alleged that PWD and District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi had neglected flood relief, focusing instead on co-operative elections.
Accompanying leaders included MPs Ramesh Jigajinagi and Iranna Kadadi, MLAs Abhay Patil, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Vithal Halgekar, Shashikala Jolle, MLCs C.T. Ravi, N. Ravikumar, and several former legislators.
“CM, DyCM skipped flood review but coming for biriyani”
Ashoka, addressing farmers in Naganur village on October 3, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar failed to visit Belagavi during the floods but were arriving on October 4 to inaugurate projects. “They will come, eat biriyani, and return to Bengaluru, while we are here to listen to your problems,” he remarked.
He claimed farmers had been suffering for two months while officials such as the Deputy Commissioner and tahsildars visited villages only after BJP leaders announced their tour. Responding to the State Government’s allegation against the Centre, Ashoka said the Union Government had fulfilled its obligations under NDRF norms, but the State had diverted calamity relief funds towards its guarantee schemes.
He was joined by MPs, MLAs and MLCs, including Ramesh Jigajinagi, Iranna Kadadi, Vithal Halgekar, Shashikala Jolle, C.T. Ravi and N. Ravikumar.
