Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his ministers for not visiting drought-affected regions. (Press Trust of India photo)
Terming the Congress government in Karnataka as one in a "state of coma", BJP national vice president and former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa today said only its leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi could awaken it.
"State (Karnataka) government is in a state of coma. Only its leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi can awaken it," he said at the conclusion of the first phase of the 'Raita Chaitanya Yatre' (farmers rally) in Mysuru.
BJP president Amit Shah was scheduled to attend the rally, but opted out because of Bihar assembly seat sharing discussions, party leaders said.
The state BJP under the leadership of Mr Yeddyurappa and president Prahlad Joshi had organised the state wide Yatra on August 31 as parts of efforts to address issues of farmers.
Referring to farmer suicides and drought-like situation in the state, Mr Yeddyurappa said, "This is just the beginning and we won't relent until loan waiver for farmers is announced."
He also demanded that the state government convene a special assembly session to discuss all these issues.
The former Chief Minister criticised Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his ministers for not visiting drought-affected regions.
Party's state incharge Muralidhar Rao questioned the 'silence' of Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Mr Rahul Gandhi over the alleged suicides of about 450 farmers in Karnataka in the last couple of months.
"Rahul Gandhi who is visiting other states, has not visited Karnataka where his own party government is in power," he said.
Union Law Minister Sadananda Gowda said the Chief Minister has forgotten to address issues of the people as he was immersed in internal party conflicts.
Mr Joshi charged the Congress government with playing politics over grant of central government aid and listed the union government's assistance to the state.
He also accused it of misleading the public on the Kalsa-Banduri water project issue in north Karnataka.
Several state BJP leaders attended the rally where hundreds of farmers from Mysuru and neighboring districts took part.