Bidadi township dispute sparks political clash
The Bidadi Township project has sparked a heated political confrontation, with BJP leaders targeting JD(S) leader DK Shivakumar over the initiative.
The controversy revolves around land acquisition, compensation for farmers, and the alleged benefits to real estate interests.
Speaking in Bengaluru, BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan criticized DK Shivakumar, stating that while farmers are not opposing the township development, any project should be conducted responsibly. He emphasized that clarity is needed on which companies have requested land, the amount of agricultural land involved, and the compensation offered. “There should be no uprooting of farmers for private profit. Is this the way a government should operate, prioritizing real estate business over citizens?” he questioned.
Narayan further stressed that townships should only be built where genuinely needed and that farmers must receive fair compensation. He accused Shivakumar of reviving the project for monetary gain, asserting that such actions undermine public trust.
Opposition leader R Ashok said that the Bidadi Township Project was abandoned in 2009 during the previous BJP regime to protect farmers. He claimed that Shivakumar’s recent push for the project is aimed at benefiting real estate interests. “The project was dead 20 years ago, and there was no land acquisition notification during our tenure. Now, DK Shivakumar has revived it for profit. He must clarify for whose benefit this project is being executed,” Ashok said.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between political parties over urban development projects in Bengaluru and raises questions about transparency, farmer welfare, and the role of political influence in real estate initiatives.
