Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 17 : Amid the row over the Bidadi township project, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday 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 development of the state," CM Shivakumar said.
Meanwhile, BJP Karnataka president BY Vijayendra said that they will be visiting the farmers in the Bidadi area, claiming that they are in distress due to "forceful land acquisition for townships".
"The state government, as well as the chief minister, is well aware of the fact that more than 90% of the farmers are against this project... BJP has taken up this matter very seriously. We are visiting the farmers today," he said.
He emphasised that the farmers outlook will be informed to the state government as well, stating, "If the government is really serious, it should go build houses for the poor people across the state. Real estate should not be the priority of the Congress government... The CM is very much afraid and threatened by the BJP's involvement in favour of farmers... They are trying to threaten BJP leaders, including opposition leaders. We are not Congress MLAs to get threatened by DK Shukumar's posters."
Shivakumar, on Monday, had dismissed allegations of a "land mafia" involvement in the Bidadi township project, terming the criticism as politically motivated and misplaced.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister emphasised that the project is aimed at urban development rather than private gain, drawing parallels to large-scale infrastructure initiatives in neighbouring states.
"I don't want to give an answer to anyone. Now, Maharashtra is acquiring 80,000 acres to develop a new township. Telangana is developing a new township on 40,000 acres," Shivakumar stated.
The Chief Minister clarified that the project was not his personal initiative but a continuation of long-standing development plans.
Reiterating that the government has secured the necessary cooperation from landowners, the Chief Minister stated, "Now, the farmers have agreed. If anyone wants to play politics over the issue, they are free to do so."
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.
Following a meeting with local farmers, Shivakumar announced that compensation payments would begin in the first week of June. He claimed that approximately eighty per cent of the farmers have consented to the project and are eager for their payments, though they have also requested residential plots in addition to monetary settlements.
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.