Deputy CM Shivakumar hits out at Centre as maize MSP row heats up Karnataka politics

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday blamed the Centre for the distress among maize growers in the state, asserting that the Union government had failed to respond to farmers’ demands for a higher support price. He also criticised BJP MPs from Karnataka for “remaining silent” on what he called a pressing issue for North Karnataka’s agrarian economy.

Speaking to reporters on the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises in Bengaluru ahead of the winter session in Belagavi, Shivakumar said the state government had taken “financially burdensome” decisions to ease farmer distress, but the Centre had not clarified its position. “The Centre has to answer to the problems of North Karnataka. The Chief Minister and I have taken strong decisions on maize procurement which will put pressure on state finances. But the Centre has not spoken a word, and BJP MPs have not raised their voice. Aren’t they concerned?” he asked.

Maize growers in Karnataka have been demanding procurement at ₹3,000 per quintal , citing higher input costs. The current Minimum Support Price (MSP) is ₹2,400 per quintal , fixed entirely by the Central government based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). Farmers have sought a ₹600 bonus , arguing that market prices in several districts have fallen to ₹1,600–1,700 per quintal, far below the MSP.

Ahead of the session, the state government increased the procurement cap from 20 to 50 quintals per farmer , at the existing MSP of ₹2,400. However, farmers’ organisations say the move is insufficient without a higher Central MSP and broader procurement coverage.

Shivakumar also took aim at former Chief Minister and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai. “Bommai says the state must buy the crop. But who fixes MSP? It is the Centre. Why hasn’t he raised the issue in Parliament or met the Prime Minister and the Agriculture Minister?” he asked, insisting that the Centre must share responsibility for farmer compensation.

The Deputy Chief Minister added that the Congress government had done unprecedented work in the irrigation sector, while accusing the BJP of politicising the issue instead of supporting growers.

In Belagavi, Opposition Leader R Ashoka alleged that the government was “so poor” that it could not replace crust gates of the Tungabhadra dam. “While farmers are committing suicide, the government is arranging breakfast meetings,” he said. BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said farmers, weavers and unemployed youth were in distress because of “bad policies” of the state government.

The escalating political confrontation over MSP and procurement is expected to influence future Karnataka–Centre relations, with policy friction likely on procurement responsibilities, financial support, and agricultural coordination.