Political Standoff Over Bidadi Integrated Township Project in Karnataka
A heated political battle has erupted in Karnataka over the Bidadi Integrated Township project. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (JD-S) has announced a legal battle, calling the land acquisition an “anti-farmer” move benefiting real estate mafia. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (Congress) defends the project, citing farmer willingness and refusing denotification. The two leaders have exchanged letters, challenging each other to a public debate. The opposition alleges collusion with land mafia, while the government insists on development, escalating tensions ahead of the 2028 state elections.
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Farmers from Hassan accuse H.D. Revanna of harassment over land compensation
A group of farmers from seven villages in Hassan district, Karnataka, accused JD(S) leader H.D. Revanna of harassing them and stalling compensation for land acquired for an Indian Institute of Technology project. The farmers, led by Congress legislators, met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in Bengaluru on June 29, 2026, alleging that despite court orders, only ₹25 lakh per acre was offered while current market rates are much higher. They also claimed attempts were being made to acquire land for the H.D. Devegowda Education Trust. The Chief Minister assured the delegation of fair treatment, stating he would ensure consistency between compensation for Bidadi and Hassan farmers. The accusation comes amid a political battle between CM Shivakumar and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over the Bidadi township project.
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Magadi MLA and Congress leader H.C. Balakrishna accused Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and his son Nikhil of selectively opposing the Bidadi Township Project while ignoring similar land acquisitions elsewhere, including in Kumaraswamy's hometown Hassan for an IIT campus. Balakrishna warned that Kumaraswamy's demand for a public discussion could lead to clashes between JD(S) and Congress workers. He alleged the farmers' agitation has been politicized by JD(S) to target Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, with supporters being brought from Mandya and Mysuru. Protesting farmers countered that Balakrishna has not visited affected villages in the past year.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Bidadi Township Dispute Escalates as Karnataka CM and Union Minister Trade Letters Over Debate
The political dispute over the Bidadi Township Project in Karnataka has intensified, with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy exchanging letters and challenging each other to an open debate. Shivakumar invited Kumaraswamy to a discussion on June 26 at Vidhana Soudha, but Kumaraswamy requested a postponement to June 27 and suggested the meeting be held in Bidadi or Bairamangala to allow affected farmers and stakeholders to participate. The row stems from Kumaraswamy's earlier role in planning the project, which he now opposes. Kumaraswamy also recalled Congress leaders' opposition to the project in 2007, accusing Shivakumar of inconsistency. The exchange follows a month of back-and-forth challenges between the two leaders, both with ties to Bidadi.
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Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated that he cannot denotify land for the Bidadi Integrated Township Project as he is not willing to go to jail, referencing that the acquisition was initiated under previous administrations led by H.D. Kumaraswamy and B.S. Yediyurappa. He challenged the opposition BJP and JD(S) to propose alternative sites, noting that 80% of farmers are willing to sell at ₹2.5 crore per acre. The opposition alliance has vowed to scrap the project if they return to power in 2028.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Bidadi Township Project Sparks Heated Political Battle Between HD Kumaraswamy and CM Shivakumar
The Bidadi Integrated Township project has become a flashpoint in Karnataka politics, with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy launching sharp personal attacks on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Kumaraswamy termed Shivakumar a 'real estate baron,' questioning how his assets grew from three acres of ancestral land in 1999 to ₹1,400 crore by 2018. He alleged the CM colluded with real estate mafia and compared the project unfavorably to Gujarat's industrial townships built on dry land. In response, Shivakumar's confidant H.C. Balakrishna counterattacked, questioning how Kumaraswamy's wife acquired 60 acres in the notified area and accusing both Kumaraswamy and BJP leader R. Ashok of targeting Shivakumar out of vengeance for becoming CM. The BJP also escalated the issue, writing to Rahul Gandhi to halt what it called a 'State-engineered land grab' and urging a transparent process for affected farmers.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.H.D. Kumaraswamy calls Bidadi township a real estate project benefiting land mafia
Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy, speaking on June 14, 2026, denounced the Bidadi Integrated Township project as a real estate venture that facilitates land mafia and land grabbers' profits, not in the interest of Karnataka state. He stated that the Janata Dal (Secular) will stand with affected farmers and seek legal remedies. Kumaraswamy challenged the Chief Minister's claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appreciated the project, questioning the context of the meeting and accusing the Congress government of acting autocratically. He highlighted that the project was conceived 20 years ago by his own government but insisted farmers' consent is essential. He also drew parallels to the Arkavathy layout controversy, where a commission's report remains unaddressed. The article reflects a political standoff over land acquisition for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project in Bidadi, Ramanagara district.
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Janata Dal (Secular) leader and Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy announced on June 12, 2026, that he will launch a legal battle against the Karnataka state government's final notification for 518 acres for the proposed Bidadi Integrated Township project. Kumaraswamy described the notification as an 'anti-farmer' move and pledged to stand with affected farmers, alleging the government intends to facilitate large-scale real estate development under the guise of the township project despite 470 days of sustained farmer opposition. He noted the project was originally conceived by his own government in 2006 but was dropped due to similar opposition. Kumaraswamy criticized Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for stating there are no farmers in the area, calling it an 'arrogant and serious insult,' and invited the Chief Minister to visit the villages and interact with residents, claiming at least 80% are farmers.
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