Bidadi township row: Kumaraswamy awaits CM's response on meeting, seeks farmers participation

Bengaluru,

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said he is awaiting Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's response to his letter, seeking rescheduling of a meeting on the proposed GBIT project near Bidadi in Bengaluru South district, and the government's land acquisition for it. The Union Minister also stressed that the talks should involve the farmers affected by the project, instead of a few holding a discussion at Vidhana Soudha, as proposed by the CM. Shivakumar had on Monday invited Kumaraswamy to his office at Vidhana Soudha on June 26, for discussion on the issue.

However, citing prior commitments, Kumaraswamy had sought to reschedule the meeting to June 27, proposing the discussion be organized at a suitable venue in Bidadi or Byramangala instead of Vidhana Soudha, aiming to give affected farmers and villagers an opportunity to participate. Meanwhile, reacting to Kumaraswamy's letter, Shivakumar told reporters on Tuesday, "let's not discuss it now. I will get back to you on the matter." Despite opposition from sections of farmers and villagers, a final notification was recently issued for the acquisition of 499 acres across three villages in Ramanagara and Harohalli taluks for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township, one of Shivakumar's ambitious projects, projected as India's "first AI-powered integrated township".

The project is expected to cover a total of 7,481 acres across nine villages in the region, sources said, adding that the notification issued recently is likely the first in a series of land acquisition notifications expected in the coming days. Rejecting suggestions of challenge or counter challenge on the township issue, Kumaraswamy said. "The farmers have been protesting for over 450 days against the government's move to acquire lands for the project against their will. The government claims 80 percent of people have consented to the land acquisition, but farmers state that 70-80 percent have not consented, creating significant confusion." Speaking to reporters here, he said, "The CM has written a letter asking me to come to Vidhana Soudha for discussion, to which I have replied that there is no meaning in four or five of us discussing the issue at Vidhana Soudha.

The CM has asked me to come along with five members of my team, but I have no team. He may have a team. The only team I have is in favour of farmers." Reiterating that the issue may not reach any logical end if the discussion is held at Vidhana Soudha between a few, the former CM said, there should be a direct discussion with the farmers who are losing land and will be affected by the project, everything else is immaterial. "Farmers have said that they cannot give land which is their livelihood and they are opposed to the project which will bring them onto the streets. I have raised my voice in favour of farmers. There is no prestige issue or an intention to defame someone here.

The government will have to decide," he added. Asked whether he expects the government to respond to his letter positively, Kumaraswamy said, "let's see what their response will be." Citing prior commitments on June 26-three events are fixed at various places in the state that day, scheduled almost a month ago-he said, "so I have requested a time to be fixed for the meeting anytime on June 27 morning. Let's see what the response will be." Pointing out that he has stood by farmers protesting to save their land, Kumaraswamy said he will assist them in every possible way within the framework of law. "Ultimately the matter has to be decided by the courts. I will cooperate and support the farmers in taking the matter to the court," he said. Responding to a question, the JD(S) leader further said the intention behind the CM's invitation seems to be to "invite in a way things don't end positively."

"What is there for us to discuss, keeping out those who are affected. I have no prestige issue here with the CM. The only thing I want is the farmers' issue to be resolved, if that is resolved there ends the matter," he said. Recalling that Congress leaders had vehemently opposed the project when he first proposed it during his tenure as the CM, Kumaraswamy said, "what are they doing today? There is evidence for it. It looks like the government is being run not for the state's development, but for self development."

According to reports, the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA) has floated a Rs 26-crore tender to appoint a consultant for preparing the master plan, detailed project report (DPR) and providing project management services for the proposed GBIT. The government, amid protests, has started giving compensation to farmers who agreed to part with their land for the project. Sources said the first set of cheques were handed over to seven farmers from Kempaiahanapalya village recently. The government has fixed the land price at Rs 2.30 crore per acre. The payout also includes extra money depending on the types of crops growing on the land, sources added.