Nikhil said the issue is not political but about farmers’ livelihoods and ancestral land, accusing ruling party leaders of treating it as a prestige matter.
Ramanagara
JDS youth leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy visited villages and expressed support for farmers protesting against the proposed Bidadi Township project in Bengaluru South region. He said he visited 26 villages and stood with farmers who have been protesting for more than 435 days, saying the project will harm their lands and livelihoods. He added that the issue is not political but about farmers lives and their ancestral property and accused ruling party leaders of treating the project as a prestige matter. He questioned why local leaders and ministers have not visited the protest site despite it continuing for over 435 days and said farmers were being ignored.
On political questions about the Chief Minister and state leadership he said he would not comment in detail noting that Congress has a clear majority with 136 seats and is running the government. He responded to remarks that the project would proceed even if farmers suffer, saying such comments ignore ground realities. He asked why the minister who calls himself son of the district has not visited the protest site or met the farmers in person. He said it has been a long agitation and still no direct dialogue has taken place with the affected families. He added that they may not be originally from the district, but their concern and emotion are strongly connected with the land and people.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy concluded that the farmers struggle is about survival and livelihood and not politics. He said development should not come at the cost of agriculture and rural families. He assured continued support to the protesting villagers and urged the government to hold meaningful discussions. He also said that local elected representatives should listen to the concerns of people before moving forward with any township plan.
Farmers present in the villages shared their problems and appealed for protection of their land. The visit was seen as a strong show of solidarity with the ongoing agitation in Bidadi region. Officials and villagers said they hope the government will reconsider the township plan and protect agricultural land for future generations as well.
