Political disputes in Karnataka

Political instability has emerged in Karnataka involving various administrative and environmental disputes.

Initial tensions centered on allegations of irregularities within the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). Home Minister Priyank Kharge rejected demands from the BJP for his resignation, accusing the opposition of maintaining ties with individuals implicated in the scandal. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed these demands as baseless, stating the government holds a ‘secret reserve’ of documents regarding irregularities from the previous administration and will respond once the CID investigation concludes.

Following these developments, political friction shifted toward the state’s management of drought conditions. Gadag MLA H. K. Patil threatened to resign, citing dissatisfaction with the government’s response to severe drought affecting farmers. While Congress MLC Dinesh Gooligowda defended the administration’s scientific assessment process, the JD(S) criticized the government for a “Bengaluru-centric approach,” alleging that several taluks with significant rainfall deficits have not been officially declared drought-hit.