BJP, JD(S) target Karnataka township project, write to Rahul Gandhi over land grab
The political battle over Karnataka's proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project in Bidadi intensified over the weekend, with the BJP and JD(S) separately writing
The political battle over Karnataka's proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project in Bidadi intensified over the weekend, with the BJP and JD(S) separately writing to Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, urging him to intervene and stop the acquisition of thousands of acres of farmland for the ambitious township project. In a letter dated June 14, Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra accused the Congress government of disregarding the concerns of more than 3,500 farmers from 25 villages who are opposing the acquisition of land for the proposed 18,000-crore township between Bidadi and Harohalli. Read Full Story Vijayendra claimed that around 7,481 acres of fertile agricultural land were being acquired despite prolonged protests by farmers and appealed to Rahul Gandhi to direct the state government to withdraw what he described as a "state-engineered land grab." A day earlier, Karnataka Pradesh Yuva Janata Dal (Secular) president Nikhil Kumaraswamy also wrote to Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the state government had issued final land acquisition notifications without securing adequate public consent.
Nikhil claimed the acquisition would affect hundreds of farming families and alleged that the government had bypassed safeguards under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013. He further argued that the move would disproportionately impact small and marginal farmers, Dalits, backward-class communities and landless agricultural labourers, and urged Rahul Gandhi to ensure the withdrawal of the final notifications. The controversy deepened after Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, alleging that the township project was being driven by a nexus between the government and real estate interests. Kumaraswamy accused the state government of attempting to acquire fertile agricultural land against the wishes of farmers and alleged that police pressure was being used to intimidate those resisting the acquisition.
Describing the proposal as a "real estate venture" rather than a development initiative, he questioned plans to raise 12,000 crore through HUDCO loans and claimed the project would ultimately benefit private developers under a public-private partnership model rather than farmers or the public. The Karnataka government, however, has strongly defended the township project, arguing that it is essential for Bengaluru's long-term urban expansion and for reducing pressure on the city's existing infrastructure. Responding to criticism and dismissing Kumaraswamy's threat of a legal challenge, Shivakumar maintained that the project was being pursued in line with earlier planning efforts and said it would move ahead despite opposition. Referring to his recent meeting with Narendra Modi, Shivakumar said on Friday that the Prime Minister had praised the initiative, telling him that the creation of new townships would help ease pressure on Bengaluru.
The BriefWire