Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to work together on state growth while keeping political rivalry aside. Speaking during the launch of the Bengaluru Metro Pink Line, Shivakumar asked for a fair deal for Karnataka and raised urgent issues including severe drought relief and better prices for sugarcane farmers. 3. Content Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made a strong appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a major public event in Bengaluru, asking the central government to give the state a fair deal on key development and farming issues. Sharing the stage with the Prime Minister at the Indian Institute of Management B... Read more 8:48 am

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made a strong appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a major public event in Bengaluru, asking the central government to give the state a fair deal on key development and farming issues. Sharing the stage with the Prime Minister at the Indian Institute of Management Bengaluru auditorium, Shivakumar called for healthy cooperation between the state and central leadership. He said that political parties can compete with each other during elections, but they must join hands when it comes to building infrastructure and helping ordinary citizens.

The remarks came during a high profile official program where Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 7.5 kilometer elevated stretch of the Bengaluru Metro Pink Line between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere, along with flagging off other major development projects across Karnataka. Before the public meeting, the Prime Minister bought a metro ticket and took a train ride on the new corridor alongside Chief Minister Shivakumar, Governor Sudha Yadav, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, and Bengaluru South Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya.

Addressing the gathering, Shivakumar reminded everyone that the mandate given by voters comes with a heavy responsibility to improve the daily lives of people. He quoted famous Kannada poet Kuvempu to stress the need to look beyond narrow boundaries and work for the larger good of society. Explaining the spirit of federalism, the Chief Minister stated that when the central government and the state government move forward together, the entire nation progresses faster.

During his speech, Shivakumar placed several urgent demands directly before the Prime Minister, starting with the severe water shortage and crop loss hitting rural Karnataka. He informed the Prime Minister that 226 out of the 240 taluks in the state are facing serious drought conditions after recording the second lowest rainfall in the last seventy years. According to state estimates, crops spread across 58 lakh hectares have been damaged, causing a massive financial loss of around Rs 62,482 crore to hardworking farmers.

To help distressed rural families recover from this crisis, the Chief Minister appealed to the Prime Minister to quickly approve and release Rs 22,400.58 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund. He noted that timely financial help from New Delhi is essential so that small farmers can survive the crop failure, feed their cattle, and prepare for the next sowing season without falling into deep debt.

Beyond drought relief, Shivakumar also brought up the growing struggles of sugarcane farmers across the state. He pointed out that while the central government fixed the Fair and Remunerative Price for sugarcane at Rs 3,650 per tonne for the current season, growers are demanding Rs 5,500 per tonne to cover their rising farming expenses. He also highlighted that the Minimum Support Price for sugar has stayed stuck at Rs 31 per kilogram since 2019, and requested separate pricing rules for household and commercial sugar along with a fairer share for Karnataka in ethanol production.

Turning his attention to urban growth, the Chief Minister sought stronger financial support and faster clearances for Bengaluru rapidly expanding public transport network. He pointed out that the city booming population and business activity have put heavy pressure on local roads and civic services. Shivakumar asked for quicker approvals for the proposed Red Line metro project, city specific cost calculations, and fair sharing of operational risks for metro rail expansion.

He also urged the central government to clear long pending water and irrigation projects like Mekedatu, Kalasa Banduri, and Upper Bhadra, which are vital for drinking water and farming in Karnataka. Making it clear that the state was not asking for any special favors, Shivakumar said Karnataka was only seeking its rightful share of national resources and tax contributions.

For everyday commuters in Bengaluru, the launch of the new Pink Line stretch brings immediate relief from heavy traffic jams along Bannerghatta Road. Built at a cost of about Rs 3,470 crore, this elevated route covers six stations including Kalena Agrahara, Hulimavu, IIMB, JP Nagar fourth phase, Jayadeva Hospital, and Tavarekere, and will open for public travel from November 14, 2026.

The public exchange between the Congress Chief Minister and the Prime Minister stood out for its polite yet firm tone, showing how state leaders are balancing cordial hospitality with strong advocacy for local needs. As lakhs of farmers wait for relief funds and city residents look forward to smoother metro rides, all eyes will now be on how quickly the central government responds to Karnataka demands.