Leader of Opposition R. Ashok challenged the ruling Congress government to first announce the drought-hit taluks in Karnataka before initiating a debate on the drought situation.

Amid sloganeering against Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the induction of B. Nagendra into the State Cabinet, Mr. Ashok alleged that the government was unaware of the prevailing drought situation. He said the government had neither reviewed the situation nor prepared a list of taluks facing severe drought following a deficit monsoon.

The opposition was ready to participate in a debate on the drought, he said, provided the government first declared the affected areas and initiated measures to address the situation.

Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar said the government was ready for a debate on the drought provided the opposition co-operated by withdrawing its protest.

BJP members raised slogans demanding the sacking of Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra over the alleged embezzlement of ₹187 crore in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Mr. Ashok claimed that 31 cases were pending against Mr. Nagendra before the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and Karnataka Lokayukta.

The BJP demanded that Mr. Nagendra be dropped from the Cabinet, and another legislator from the Scheduled Tribe community be inducted in his place.

Despite the protests and sloganeering, Speaker G.S. Patil proceeded with Question Hour. After the Zero Hour, the Speaker adjourned the House for half-an-hour, and eventually for lunch as opposition members continued raising slogans from their seats against the government.

On August 19, the government had defended the inclusion of Mr. Nagendra in the Cabinet.

Published - August 20, 2026 04:06 pm IST