Karnataka CM Announces Review of AI Township Project as Farmer Protests Grows

No farmer's land will be taken by force for Bidadi Township, says Karnataka CM

Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar's announcement came a day after a land survey for the project turned violent as farmers opposed the exercise, alleging it was being carried out without their consent.

Karnataka won’t force farmers to give land for Bidadi township, assures CM D K Shivakumar

D K Shivakumar said the government will form a panel to review the Bidadi township project and claimed that the protests were part of a conspiracy to mislead farmers.

Karnataka CM announces review of AI township project as farmer protests grows

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has formed a committee to review the proposed AI township. Farmers are protesting the land acquisition for this large-scale project near Bidadi. The government assures no land will be forcibly acquired from unwilling farmers. This committee will assess the project's merits and gather feedback from all stakeholders. Recommendations from the committee will guide the cabinet's final decision on the township.

Committee to study Bidadi township project: Karnataka CM

The govt would take a decision on the project within 3 months after considering the committee’s recommendations, he said.

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, condemning the State Government’s decision to issue a fresh land acquisition notification affecting four villages under the proposed Bidadi Township Project, despite farmers from three previously notified villages continuing their protests.

Bengaluru ExpressNew Delhi | 16 July 2026 Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy termed the government's move inhumane, cruel and morally indefensible, alleging that while the Chief Minister publicly claimed that no land would be acquired without farmers' consent, the government had quietly initiated fresh acquisition proceedings behind their backs. On one hand, the Chief Minister holds press conferences and promises that no land will be acquired forcibly, speaks about waiting for two months and constituting a committee. On the other hand, his government secretly issues fresh notifications to seize farmers' land. Those close to him seem to have known about it in advance, as they celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets even before the notification became public. Is this humanity? Is this governance? the Union Minister questioned. Kumaraswamy further questioned why the State Government had proceeded with issuing fresh notifications despite announcing that a committee headed by a retired judge would examine the matter. You announce a judicial committee while simultaneously issuing notifications to swallow up three or four villages. Who celebrated in Bidadi last night? Let the truth be placed before the people, he demanded. Referring to the growing unrest among farmers, Kumaraswamy warned that the government's actions had deeply angered the affected communities. The people are no longer silent. They are prepared to resist. If officials attempt joint surveys of agricultural lands without the consent of farmers, do you expect the women of these villages to remain passive? The Chief Minister himself says, 'Come and beat me with a broom if you want.' Is this language befitting a Chief Minister? It reflects the unfortunate state of governance in Karnataka, he remarked. If You Don't Need the Project, Withdraw It Questioning the government's intent, Kumaraswamy urged the Chief Minister to immediately scrap the Bidadi Township Project if he genuinely believed it was unnecessary. You repeatedly say this is not your project and that you do not need it. If that is true, why are you still pursuing it? Withdraw it immediately, he said. The Union Minister rejected the Chief Minister's claim that he was merely continuing a project initiated during Kumaraswamy's tenure. When I was Chief Minister, the Congress party itself, along with farmers, opposed the township proposal. Respecting their concerns, I scrapped the entire project. I publicly announced this on the floor of the Assembly as well as during my Independence Day address. Does the Chief Minister not know this? Or does he simply choose to ignore inconvenient facts? he asked. Kumaraswamy reiterated that the farmers themselves had rejected the project. The farmers do not want this township. I stand with them. If nobody wants this project, why this extraordinary insistence? Whose interests are being served? he questioned. He alleged that the State Government was attempting to acquire land under the pretext of developing a satellite township while concealing its real beneficiaries. The people are not naive. They understand what is happening. Farmers know very well who will ultimately benefit from the land taken away from them in the name of development, he said. Do Not Insult Farmers Kumaraswamy objected to the State Government branding protesting farmers as agents. Please do not insult distressed farmers by calling them agents. That is an insult to every farmer. When M.B. Patil was Industries Minister, whose agents was he working with? I have never employed agents and never will. That culture belongs elsewhere, he said. The Union Minister also criticised the government's urban development record. You once promised to transform Bengaluru into Singapore. The people of Bengaluru continue to suffer the consequences of those promises. Now, after seeing what your 'Brand Bengaluru' has become over the past three years, people are naturally worried about what will happen if the Bidadi Township is implemented, he observed. I Cancelled the Township Project Kumaraswamy recalled that as Chief Minister in 2006, he had proposed five satellite townships to reduce developmental pressure on Bengaluru. I personally held three rounds of discussions with farmers in Bidadi and even invited them to the Krishna office for consultations. Do you have the courage to do the same? Have you shown even the minimum courtesy of consulting the affected farmers before issuing acquisition notifications? he asked. He pointed out that the then Union Government had written to the State Government encouraging the development of Special Economic Zones, but maintained that his approach had always been based on consultation and consensus. I tried to persuade people through dialogue. I never resorted to coercion or intimidation. I never attempted to evict families who had depended on that land for generations, he said. Your Vested Interests Are Visible Accusing the Chief Minister of acting with ulterior motives, Kumaraswamy said: You are making a grave mistake. You are trying to dispossess poor farmers to benefit someone else. There is a vested interest behind this project. There are business interests involved. The guilt was visible on your face when you recently addressed the media. No matter how hard you try, you cannot hide it. He also dismissed allegations that he was politically jealous of the Chief Minister. You have done nothing extraordinary, for me to be jealous of. You are merely planning how much more can be looted from the system. I neither have the time nor the inclination to be envious of you. If you have time, you may indulge in that. As Chief Minister, learn to conduct yourself with dignity and stop making irresponsible remarks. Leave the Farmers' Land Alone Kumaraswamy challenged the Chief Minister to abandon the acquisition process altogether. I decided years ago that I would never inflict pain upon the very people who placed their trust in me. If you truly have the courage, leave the farmers' land untouched. Responding to references made by the Chief Minister regarding DLF, Kumaraswamy said: You have spoken about DLF. The nature of certain relationships is known to the whole country. When the time is appropriate, I too will place those facts before the people. Truth Will Eventually Prevail The Union Minister concluded by accusing the Chief Minister of repeatedly misusing power and attempting to intimidate others. I have never kidnapped anyone's children to force parents into surrendering their land. I have never lived the kind of life you have. You repeatedly speak about going to jail, as though it were a badge of honour. You did not go to prison during the freedom struggle. Truth always prevails, and that day is not far away. He further alleged that the Chief Minister's actions reflected a lack of compassion. You speak, but fear and a guilty conscience are evident on your face. Power is neither permanent nor the exclusive property of one individual. The people of Karnataka are watching, and they will deliver their verdict at the appropriate time.

Kumaraswamy slams Karnataka govt over fresh Bidadi land acquisition notification

New Delhi/Bengaluru, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the state government's decision to issue a fresh land acquisition notification for villages falling under the proposed Bidadi Township Project, alleging that the move betrayed farmers and exposed the government's "vested interests". Addressing a press co…