Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 17 : The proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) at Bidadi has escalated further, with the BJP now backing local farmers. During a protest against the state government's land acquisition, Karnataka Assembly LoP R Ashoka on Wednesday warned the Congress leadership that the project could outlast the current government's tenure.
Speaking to ANI, he emphasised that the residents of the Bidadi region are not against development but are fighting to protect their ancestral livelihoods and stood in solidarity with the thousands of farmers who have been agitating for over 470 days.
"They want to do farming," Ashoka stated, addressing the government's aggressive push for land acquisition. "That is why they are requesting the government not to acquire and make a layout... We support the farmers."
In a direct piece of advice to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is the primary proponent of the AI-powered township, Ashoka underscored the political volatility surrounding the project.
"I will advise DK Shivakumar: You cannot make the layout in 1.5 years, then another government will come," Ashoka remarked, suggesting that the project's timeline is unrealistic and its future remains uncertain as the state approaches future electoral cycles.
His remarks come amid intensifying protests by farmers in the Byramangala-Bidadi region against the proposed acquisition of nearly 500 acres for the GBIT.
Farmers participating in the protest said they will continue their agitation until the land acquisition is withdrawn.
"We will never give up our land. Even if we die, we will die fighting for our land," said one protester from Byramangala, adding that multiple farmers and social organisations have extended support to their movement.
Another protester from Bandalli village said BJP leaders had assured full backing to the agitation. "They said, 'We will stand by you, we will give legal support, and we will participate in every protest.' Our protest will become even more intense from now on," she told ANI.
The protest comes amid the Karnataka government issuing a final notification for land acquisition for the township project, which has triggered a 470-day-long agitation by farmers in the region.
The political row over the project has escalated further, with JD(S) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy accusing Congress MLAs of being disconnected from ground realities and alleging that the project is a "real estate land grab" worth ₹33,562 crore. He also questioned the state leadership over its handling of the protests.
Amid the row over the Bidadi township project, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar earlier in the day, asserted that he will "reply" to the BJP, accusing them of attempting to "stop development" in the state.
Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said that he will expose the intentions behind the opposition's criticism.
"I will reply to them. I will reply and inform even their high command also. What is going on? I will just let you know. What they are trying to do. How they are trying to stop the development of the state," CM Shivakumar said.
The row erupted in May after Shivakumar accepted a challenge from Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy for a public debate regarding the Bidadi township project. The Janata Dal (Secular) party opposed the development, alleging it is driven by a land mafia operating under political patronage.
In response, Shivakumar defended the project by stating that the initial notification was issued during Kumaraswamy's own tenure as Chief Minister and noted that the courts refused to halt the development.
The political tension escalated further as former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda reportedly wrote to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi about the alleged land mafia.
Shivakumar dismissed these letters, questioning why the veteran leader was contacting opposition figures instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while also criticising the rising prices of steel under Kumaraswamy's central ministry.