Bengaluru, Sep 7 : Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Monday accused the Congress-led state government of acting arbitrarily in drought management and alleged that discrimination in declaring drought-hit taluks had exposed the government's "irresponsible" approach towards farmers and people in distress.

Reacting to a statement issued by Muddebihal Congress MLA C.S. Appaji Nadagouda alleging discrimination in the declaration of drought-hit taluks, Vijayendra said the Congress government's approach to drought management and extending assistance to farmers had been "laid bare".

He asserted that the Congress government had become bankrupt due to corruption and maladministration and had consequently "thrown transparency to the winds" in various matters while attempting to evade responsibility.

"The BJP has already strongly objected to the government declaring only 101 taluks as drought-hit when more than 190 taluks are facing drought-like conditions," Vijayendra said.

According to the BJP state chief, Nadagouda's statement provided "clear evidence and proof" supporting the BJP's allegations. Instead of acknowledging the issue and correcting the mistake, he alleged, Vijayapura district in-charge Minister M.B. Patil had attempted to divert public attention by offering an explanation for Nadagouda's statement.

Vijayendra said the statements by Nadagouda and Patil had brought the "internal differences and shortcomings" within the Congress government into the public domain.

"Whatever your internal prestige battle or political rivalry may be, first focus on responding to the difficulties faced by the people, including drought management," Vijayendra said.

He warned that if the government failed to address the hardships of farmers and the public, "the day when people themselves take to the streets against this government is not far away."

Notably, senior Congress MLA Appaji Nadagouda had alleged that the government has deliberately excluded two taluks in his Assembly constituency from the list of drought-prone areas. He further alleged that Minister for Large and Medium Industries M. B. Patil, out of "personal enmity", ensured the exclusion of regions represented by him.

MLA Nadagouda has warned of staging a protest if the Chief Minister and the senior Congress leadership fail to rectify the injustice immediately.

Responding to the allegations, Minister M. B. Patil hit back, stating that on both occasions when the team studying drought visited Nadagouda's constituency, the MLA was away and is now resorting to making false allegations in the name of farmers.

Minister Patil said that MLA Nadagouda is targeting him "without reason" and "needs treatment for his mental health".

/IANS