Protests from Aug 3 if drought not declared: K’taka LoPBallari: Karnataka Leader of the Opposition (LoP) R. Ashoka has warned that if the state government does not immediately declare a drought, they will launch the ‘Chalo Hola Gadde’ (towards the lands and farms) protest from August 3. He said that although there is drought in all districts, the state government has not declared it. “If drought is not declared immediately, all of us will sit in farmers’ fields and stage a dharna. The Finance Department has warned that since income is low, if drought is declared, relief will have to be provided immediately. Overall, 38 per cent sowing has taken place in Ballari, he said.