Leader of Opposition R. Ashok launched a sharp attack on Karnataka Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, accusing them of ignoring the plight of flood-hit residents in Belagavi district. Addressing reporters, Ashok alleged that despite severe crop loss, inundated villages, and families struggling for basic relief, the state leadership failed to visit the affected areas. Instead, he claimed, the leaders were prioritizing political gatherings and private functions, making only symbolic appearances rather than engaging in concrete relief measures.
Ashok’s comments came amid rising anger among citizens who have been demanding immediate intervention and financial support from the state government. He highlighted that while over a dozen villages remain cut off due to heavy rains, the administration’s response has been inadequate. According to him, the absence of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister from ground visits in Belagavi sends a negative message to farmers and residents who are depending on state leadership for reassurance. He went further to sarcastically remark that leaders were finding time for biriyani feasts but not for suffering families.
The Leader of Opposition emphasized that flood management requires not just announcements from Bengaluru but on-ground assessments by top leaders. He urged the government to release compensation quickly, set up more relief camps, and deploy senior officials to oversee rehabilitation work. Ashok warned that neglecting Belagavi’s crisis could have severe political consequences, as people will not forget the absence of their leaders during times of distress. His remarks added to the growing political storm over flood relief in Karnataka.
Flood-Hit Belagavi Feels Neglected
Villagers report lack of immediate relief, with crops destroyed and homes damaged.
Ashok accuses top leaders of failing to even visit the affected region, calling it a betrayal of public trust.
The political atmosphere in Karnataka grew tense after Leader of Opposition R. Ashok accused the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of neglecting flood-hit Belagavi district. Ashok, speaking to reporters, argued that while thousands of families were reeling under the impact of heavy rains and overflowing rivers, top leaders of the state failed to show up in the worst-affected villages. His biting remark that they found time to attend functions and eat biriyani but could not make time to meet distressed farmers quickly drew attention across political circles.
Belagavi district has faced one of the worst flood spells in recent years. Several rivers including the Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, and Krishna swelled due to continuous rainfall, inundating farmland and damaging houses. Hundreds of villagers were displaced, and standing crops worth crores were washed away. Ashok highlighted these figures to underline his criticism, claiming that the absence of senior ministers from the scene was a reflection of misplaced priorities in governance.
The opposition leader’s comments struck a chord with many locals, who have been appealing for urgent relief measures. Farmers have reported extensive losses to sugarcane, maize, and paddy fields, crops that form the backbone of Belagavi’s rural economy. Families in low-lying areas have shifted to makeshift shelters, but the relief measures, according to them, remain insufficient. Ashok claimed that only the presence of the state’s top leadership could bring immediate administrative focus and accountability to these efforts.
Ashok further alleged that the government’s approach to the flood crisis has been casual and reactive rather than proactive. He insisted that disaster preparedness was ignored, despite warnings from the meteorological department about heavy rainfall. Boats, rescue personnel, and medical teams, he argued, were mobilized late, leaving many villages stranded. He emphasized that leadership is not just about issuing press releases from Bengaluru but about being present with people during times of crisis.
The remark about biriyani has added a sharp political edge to the debate. Ashok accused the ruling leadership of attending social events and indulging in feasts while families were struggling to secure drinking water, food, and shelter. The comment quickly gained traction on social media, with supporters of the opposition amplifying the charge and demanding accountability. Government loyalists, however, dismissed the statement as political theater aimed at embarrassing the Chief Minister.
Political analysts suggest that Ashok’s outburst reflects growing frustration within the opposition about the government’s handling of floods. They point out that Belagavi, being a politically significant district with a large farming population, is sensitive to both administrative action and neglect. Opposition leaders are likely to continue pressing this issue in the assembly and on public platforms, seeking to portray the ruling party as indifferent to rural suffering.
The Chief Minister’s office has so far refrained from directly addressing Ashok’s biriyani comment. Instead, officials have highlighted that relief measures are being coordinated at the district level, with deputy commissioners, tahsildars, and emergency teams overseeing operations. They argue that disaster management is a continuous process and does not require the physical presence of top leaders in every affected area. However, critics argue that such explanations do little to reassure citizens who expect moral support and solidarity from their elected leaders.
Political Storm Brewing
Opposition claims government leaders prioritize functions over disaster management.
Ashok warns that absence of accountability in Belagavi could cost ruling leaders their credibility.
Local residents in Belagavi expressed mixed views. While some appreciated the administrative staff working on relief, others said the absence of high-level political visits was demoralizing. Villagers interviewed reported that promises of compensation and rehabilitation often remain on paper unless senior leaders directly intervene. They insisted that personal visits from the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister would send a strong signal of commitment to those enduring hardships.
The floods have once again highlighted the recurring issue of poor disaster preparedness in Karnataka. Experts argue that despite repeated flood cycles in Belagavi and surrounding districts, long-term solutions such as strengthening embankments, constructing check dams, and ensuring proper drainage remain neglected. Shashil Namoshi, a civic activist, noted that the government often spends large sums on relief after disasters rather than investing in preventive infrastructure that could reduce future losses.
Opposition parties are preparing to escalate the issue both inside and outside the legislative assembly. R. Ashok, along with other senior leaders, announced plans to visit Belagavi villages themselves, meet affected families, and highlight their grievances in state forums. This, they believe, will mount pressure on the government to release additional funds and expedite rehabilitation efforts. The political narrative is increasingly framing the floods not only as a natural disaster but also as a governance failure.
Observers note that the ruling party must tread carefully, as mishandling of disaster relief could have electoral consequences. Belagavi is known for its politically active population, and dissatisfaction among farmers and rural communities could shift electoral dynamics. By comparing the leadership’s absence to attending a biriyani feast, Ashok may have struck a symbolic chord that could resonate in upcoming campaigns, particularly if relief measures continue to lag.
Meanwhile, citizen groups in Belagavi have stepped up relief activities, distributing food packets, clothing, and medical aid. Local NGOs and youth volunteers have filled critical gaps in official relief operations, earning praise from residents. However, they too called on the state government to speed up its response and provide long-term rehabilitation for displaced families. These voices add weight to Ashok’s criticism that leadership must be visible in times of adversity.
The state government now faces the challenge of balancing political damage control with the urgent task of restoring normalcy in Belagavi. Quick disbursement of compensation, transparent assessment of crop damage, and adequate rehabilitation packages are being demanded by farmers and community leaders. Opposition figures argue that unless these measures are taken swiftly, public anger will intensify, leaving the government vulnerable to accusations of negligence.
Ultimately, the floods in Belagavi have become both a humanitarian and political test for Karnataka’s leadership. While relief operations continue, the absence of visible presence from the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister remains a sore point. R. Ashok’s accusations, sharp as they were, have reignited debate about political accountability during crises. For flood-hit residents, the pressing question remains whether their suffering will finally bring serious action, or whether it will be drowned out in political rhetoric.
Beyond immediate relief, experts are urging the government to rethink its approach to disaster management. Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of floods in districts like Belagavi, and yet policies remain reactive. Environmentalists argue that unplanned urbanization, unchecked sand mining, and encroachments along riverbanks are aggravating natural calamities. They say the state leadership must invest in long-term resilience strategies rather than simply responding to emergencies. Ashok’s critique, while political in tone, has brought focus to these larger systemic failures.
Rural communities in Belagavi, particularly farmers, remain anxious about the government’s compensation mechanisms. Past experiences have left them skeptical, with many recalling delays and bureaucratic hurdles in receiving relief during previous floods. Farmers’ associations have already warned that if compensation is not swift and sufficient, they will stage protests across the district. The opposition has promised to stand by these groups, amplifying their voices in Bengaluru to push for better treatment of rural citizens.
In the backdrop of these tensions, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister face growing pressure to personally visit Belagavi. Political observers argue that even a symbolic visit could have a calming effect, showing solidarity with affected families and reducing the sting of Ashok’s remarks. Without such gestures, the narrative of indifference could solidify, potentially damaging the credibility of the ruling party not only in Belagavi but also in other rural strongholds across Karnataka.
As the floodwaters slowly recede, what remains is the difficult task of rehabilitation and rebuilding lives. Thousands of families need financial aid, repaired infrastructure, and restored farmland. The opposition, led by Ashok, continues to hammer the ruling party over its absence during the crisis, framing it as a moral and political failure. Whether the government can turn the tide by accelerating relief and demonstrating visible leadership will determine if this controversy fades quickly or becomes a defining moment in Karnataka’s political discourse.
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