Santosh Lad welcomes BJP leaders’ drought study, requests them to submit early report to Centre

Santosh Lad, the newly appointed Minister in Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's cabinet, expressed his approval of BJP leaders visiting drought-affected regions of the state. He urged them to submit their report to the Union government as soon as possible to receive funds for the state. During his first visit to Hubballi after being sworn in on August 5, Mr. Lad highlighted that the state was not receiving adequate funds and support from the Centre.

He criticized that states under Congress rule were receiving preferential treatment, with the Center releasing crop compensation to BJP-ruled states. Lad suggested that the rules for crop insurance needed to be revised. He also supported farmers' demands for interim relief.

Upon his swearing-in, all ministers, including Lad, were dispatched to various taluks to assess the drought situation, engage with farmers, and submit their findings. The portfolio allocation was expected to be finalized within two to three days, after which Lad pledged to efficiently manage his assigned responsibilities. He dismissed the notion that those not granted a Cabinet berth were ineligible for ministerial positions, stating that all legislators were eligible for the role. Lad emphasized that eligibility should not be contingent on political favoritism.

Regarding Hubballi-Dharwad's growth, the Minister acknowledged the necessity for sufficient funding to further develop the twin cities. He promised to initiate a comprehensive plan and project beneficial to Hubballi-Dharwad shortly. The Minister also noted a shift in the country's mindset, attributing it to the younger generation.

He cautioned that if BJP leaders conducted honest elections, they would inevitably lose, leading them to hinder free and fair elections and promote religious ideologies over addressing real issues.