Bengaluru: Opposition to the proposed Bidadi township project intensified on Wednesday, with farmers seeking the intervention of Lok Sabha opposition leader and Congress functionary Rahul Gandhi, even as the BJP and JD(S) stepped up pressure on the state government over the ongoing land acquisition process.
Farmers Launch Letter Campaign
More than 100 farmers from the region launched a letter campaign to Rahul Gandhi, urging him to intervene and halt acquisitions. They claimed that land was being acquired without adequate consultation and that it would affect hundreds of farming families.
BJP Joins Protests for the First Time
The principal opposition party, BJP, joined the protests for the first time. A delegation led by state party president BY Vijayendra visited villages near Bidadi and met with farmers. They demanded that the government withdraw the proposal. Vijayendra accused the government of creating a “false impression” that most landowners had agreed to part with their land.
He stated that farmers had told the BJP delegation that they were determined to protect their land and that some had even complained of threats and intimidation. He urged the government not to “use goons” to pressure farmers and accused it of favoring real-estate interests over cultivators.
Vijayendra also took exception to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the project. “Dragging the PM’s name into the controversy was inappropriate,” he said, adding that Modi had never supported policies detrimental to farmers.
He added: “If the government is keen, it should promote industries in North Karnataka and generate jobs there. We will not allow fertile agricultural land to be acquired anywhere in the state.”
Opposition Leader R Ashoka’s Statement
Opposition leader R Ashoka claimed that the land identified for acquisition supported dairy farming, agriculture, and sericulture and disputed the government’s contention that it was barren. “The township project would displace families that had depended on farming for generations,” Ashoka said, urging the government to withdraw the proposal.
Opposition leader in the legislative council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said the party would stand firmly with the protesting farmers.
JD(S) Leader Kumaraswamy Accuses Shivakumar
Meanwhile, Union minister HD Kumaraswamy of JD(S) accused Shivakumar of orchestrating a poster campaign against him and his family to divert attention from the farmers’ agitation. The posters, which appeared in places in and around Bidadi, alleged that Kumaraswamy, his wife Anita, and son Nikhil owned agricultural land within the proposed township limits and were opposing the project for personal reasons.
Rejecting the allegations, Kumaraswamy said he owned only 46 acres purchased nearly four decades ago and challenged critics to prove claims that he possessed 100 acres. He added that Anita had legally acquired 36 acres.
Accusing Shivakumar of targeting political opponents through public campaigns, Kumaraswamy said, “He should show respect for the office he holds instead of resorting to cheap political gimmicks.”
