Karnataka chief minister defends three-day special session as BJP pushes for a week-long debate

Karnataka’s chief minister D K Shivakumar defended the decision to hold a three-day special legislature session to examine the Kasturirangan report, drought conditions and the Western Ghats’ ecological status. He said the government chose a consultative approach, meeting farmers, MPs, MLAs and receiving thousands of petitions, rather than simply forwarding the report to the Centre. The session will consider proposals ranging from rejecting the report to forming technical committees and seeking special status under Article 371.

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, speaking with opposition leader R Ashoka, demanded the sitting be lengthened to at least a week to allow comprehensive debate on the report, drought relief and farmer grievances. Vijayendra claimed the session was convened only after sustained BJP protests, including the Ballari Chalo padayatra. The opposition also warned that limiting the agenda could sideline other issues such as the NICE and Bidadi Township Project row and the KPSC scam. Shivakumar rejected accusations that the session is a political appeasement, emphasizing ongoing drought declarations across 102 taluks and the pending addition of another 100.