Bengaluru, Oct 19 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday said that he would lead an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week to submit a memorandum seeking relief for the state over drought, while the government is also planning to extend the Dasara illumination in Mysuru by 10 days.

Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said leaders of the Opposition had also expressed their willingness to join the delegation to meet the Prime Minister and submit the memorandum on drought relief.

“Yes, we will meet the Prime Minister with an all-party delegation and submit a memorandum. The Opposition leaders have also said they will accompany us. I have been waiting because drought is not limited to Karnataka; it has affected several parts of the country. If the Prime Minister gives us time between the conclusion of Dasara and Kannada Rajyotsava, we will meet him and discuss the issue,” he said.

On the ongoing agitation by sugarcane farmers in Karnataka, Shivakumar said he had written to the Prime Minister and was hopeful of a positive response.

“I have written to the Prime Minister regarding the sugarcane farmers’ issue, and I am confident that it will yield results. I have tried to protect the interests of sugarcane farmers. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi made efforts, but eventually blamed the Congress again. I will not speak about the Union government now. Everyone should come together to resolve the problems faced by sugarcane farmers,” he said.

Stating that he did not want to politicise the issue, Shivakumar said farmers’ concerns should not become a subject of political confrontation.

“I do not want to do politics over this issue. Why should anyone do politics with farmers? There are other people to engage in politics, and they can continue criticising us. We need not worry about such criticism,” he said.

On the possibility of extending the Dasara illumination in Mysuru, Shivakumar said the government was planning to continue it for another 10 days, with an official announcement expected shortly. The illumination has been attracting large crowds, leading to traffic congestion in the city.

Explaining the cultural significance of Dasara and the traditions associated with it, Shivakumar said the festival had a long history dating back to the Vijayanagara period and the rule of the Mysuru kings.

Referring to the Kambala buffalo race, he said the tradition of honouring buffaloes had existed since the Vijayanagara era. Coconuts offered to Goddess Chamundeshwari were earlier given as prizes to Kambala participants, while gold coins are now awarded. He said the gold coins were not sold but given away as gifts during marriages.

The Chief Minister added that raising and maintaining Kambala buffaloes involved expenditure of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, with the animals cared for like children. Around 3,000 people had participated in organising the Kambala event, while lakhs of people had witnessed it, he said.

Shivakumar said the government had introduced new traditions and events as part of Dasara celebrations, including an air show and Yuva Dasara, which brought performers from other states and provided entertainment to lakhs of young people.

He noted that Dasara celebrations were held across several parts of Karnataka, including Tulu Nadu, Kalyana Karnataka, Kittur Karnataka, Kodagu, Tumakuru, Chamarajanagar and Srirangapatna.

“Culture, art and literature are our wealth. We must encourage, preserve and promote them. That is what we are doing,” he said.

When asked about tourists being unable to witness the grand Dasara illuminations across Mysuru due to record footfall and traffic congestion during the festival, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said he was receiving inputs on the issue and would soon announce an extension of the illuminations for another 10 days after the conclusion of the Dasara celebrations in the city.

–IANS

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