Addressing reporters at Karekal in Ballari district after inspecting drought-hit villages, Ashoka alleged that the state's finances had deteriorated after DK Shivakumar assumed office as Chief Minister. Stating that he had toured several districts, Ashoka said farmers everywhere were in distress. He accused the government of delaying the drought declaration, saying that unless drought was officially notified, farmers would not receive insurance money. Warning that the drinking water situation could deteriorate further in the coming weeks, Ashoka alleged that the government had made no advance preparations. He alleged that the state government had become one of the worst administrations Karnataka had witnessed and claimed that when he served as Revenue Minister, drought relief had been distributed within a month.