New Delhi, June 26: The political tension surrounding the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project in Karnataka is escalating. Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy stated on Friday that he will be present among farmers in the Bidadi area on Saturday. He expressed that he would welcome Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar if he comes to engage in discussions. Kumaraswamy emphasized that this is not a matter of personal prestige but rather a concern for the farmers’ interests.
In a conversation with reporters, Kumaraswamy remarked, “I have already informed the Chief Minister that I will be with the farmers at the scheduled time. If he comes, he is welcome. This issue should be resolved through dialogue.”
He added that if the farmers have no objections to land acquisition, then he has no issues either. As a former Chief Minister of Karnataka, he stated that he never wishes to obstruct Bengaluru’s development.
Kumaraswamy has written to Chief Minister Shivakumar for the second time, inviting him to visit Bairamangala village on June 27 to discuss the concerns of farmers affected by the proposed township.
He alleged that since Thursday, some individuals have been instigated to protest, claiming they are ready to give their land to the government in exchange for compensation. He noted that a separate tent has been set up for about 20 individuals in front of farmers who have been protesting against land acquisition for over 400 days.
“I know who is behind this and the entire background. My movement is not against the Chief Minister. About two months ago, farmers approached me, expressing strong opposition to land acquisition. I am merely raising their voice. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of farmers are against this project, and their protest has been ongoing for over 450 days,” Kumaraswamy stated.
He insisted that forcibly removing farmers from their land is not in anyone’s interest. Every decision should be made through dialogue and consensus. “With such widespread opposition, why is the government pushing this project forward?” he questioned.
In response to Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna’s statement that the Chief Minister’s visit to the affected area could create law and order issues, Kumaraswamy quipped that if that is the case, all farmers should be summoned to the Vidhana Soudha.
Recalling his tenure as Chief Minister (2006-07), he mentioned that he had engaged in detailed discussions with 500 to 600 protesting farmers at his official residence, Krishna, on three different occasions. “We did not rush. We patiently discussed with the farmers and provided them with complete information about the project,” he said.
Kumaraswamy also claimed that records from the Assembly proceedings indicate that Congress leaders had opposed the Bidadi project at that time. He urged the Chief Minister to review these records with his advisors before making any decisions.
He affirmed his continued support for the farmers’ movement, stating that this issue will ultimately be resolved through legal battles. According to him, the land acquisition law enacted by the UPA government in 2013 is still in effect, yet ironically, the current Congress government is violating its spirit by advancing the project.
Kumaraswamy announced that he would meet with the protesting farmers, staying until noon to await the Chief Minister. He expressed that he has no objections if the Chief Minister wishes to peacefully discuss matters with the farmers. However, he accused the government of deliberately creating law and order situations to impose prohibitory orders.
On the issue of compensation, he criticized the government, which claims to offer ₹19 crore in compensation, questioning how many farmers have actually benefited from it. He argued that it is inappropriate to impose forced compensation for a project worth ₹20,000 crore. While some farmers have left their land due to unprofitable farming, their numbers are minimal, and this cannot be interpreted as a consensus in favor of land acquisition.
Regarding Bengaluru’s development, Kumaraswamy stated that he is not against the city’s progress but believes that existing issues must be addressed first. “If a new city is established without resolving the current problems, people will mock it,” he warned.
Finally, addressing allegations regarding his expensive watch, Kumaraswamy clarified, “It is being publicized that I wear a watch worth ₹70 lakh, while I actually wear an HMT watch featuring Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s image. If anyone doubts this, they can request an SIT investigation, and if the allegations are proven true, the watch can be confiscated.”
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