H. D. Deve Gowda stressed that urgent relief measures are essential for flood-hit Kalyana Karnataka and promised to act if needed.
Former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda said on Friday that if necessary, he himself will travel to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and request urgent relief for the flood-hit Kalyana Karnataka region.
Addressing a press conference at JP Bhavan, Gowda noted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas, but more than three days have passed without adequate follow-up. “Six districts have suffered severe crop losses, over 50 people and cattle have died, and farmers’ livelihoods have been devastated. The government must respond sensitively to the people’s suffering,” he said, adding that district in-charge ministers and officials have not fully assessed the damage on the ground.
He urged deputy commissioners and district in-charges to visit affected areas within 48 hours, conduct inspections, and ensure farmers receive timely compensation. “I will personally visit flood-hit districts like Kalaburagi to review the situation and speak on the measures taken,” he added.
Gowda recalled that former CM H. D. Kumaraswamy had already written to Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah seeking relief. “If the situation demands, I too will write and even meet them in person,” he assured.
Responding to Congress leaders’ criticism that the Centre released flood aid to other states but ignored Karnataka, Gowda said he would not politicize the issue. He emphasized that the state government must utilize its own resources to extend maximum support to the affected people.
