DK Shivakumar Accepts Kumaraswamy’s Challenge

The controversial Bidadi Township Project in Karnataka has sparked a fresh political confrontation, with Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar accepting a challenge thrown by Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy for an open discussion on the project.In a letter sent to Kumaraswamy on Monday, Shivakumar invited him and a five-member delegation to attend a meeting at his office in Vidhana Soudha on June 26 at 11 a.m. The Congress government is proposing to develop the project, known as the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT), across thousands of acres near Bidadi in Ramanagara district.

However, the project has faced strong opposition from farmers in the Byramangala region, who argue that they will lose fertile agricultural land. The affected farmers have reportedly been protesting against the project for more than 450 days.Kumaraswamy, who has openly supported the farmers, has strongly opposed the township plan. He has warned the government against proceeding without consulting landowners and alleged irregularities in the project, stating that he is prepared to pursue legal action.

Responding to these criticisms, Shivakumar pointed out that the township proposal was originally initiated during Kumaraswamy’s tenure as Chief Minister. He also stated that nearly 80 percent of landowners have agreed to the government's compensation package. According to him, the government is offering either cash compensation of up to ₹2.55 crore per acre or a share in the developed land as part of the rehabilitation package.