JDS Assures to Back Bidadi Farmers In Their Fight Against Bidadi Township Project
The warning from JDS came after the State Government issued final notification to acquire 518 acres of farm lands in the villages of Kempaiahnayya Palya, Mandalahalli and Vaderahalli out of 718 acres available
BENGALURU: Cautioning the ruling Congress-led state government from going ahead with land acquisition in villages of Bidadi in Bengaluru South district for the proposed Bidadi Township Project, Janata Dal Secular (JDS) on Friday stated the State Government that the party would intensify its agitation until the project is shelved and warned the Congress party that it will have to pay a heavy price if the interests of the farmers are ignored. The project in dormant state was revived after the Congress party returned to power in 2023.
The warning from JDS came after the State Government issued final notification to acquire 518 acres of farm lands in the villages of Kempaiahnayya Palya, Mandalahalli and Vaderahalli out of 718 acres available. The Bidadi Township Project spans across 8,500 acres in 9 villages and some sub-villages of Bidadi falling in Bengaluru South district to which Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar belongs. Shivakumar represents Kanakapura Assembly seat in Bengaluru South district.
Over the opposition to the Bidadi Township Project, Union Minister of Large Scale Industries and State JDS president H.D. Kumaraswamy said “The project was initiated during my term as Chief Minister in 2006 but had to stall the project opposition from the Congress party. Congress party constituted a fact-finding committee to oppose the project.”
Continuing, Kumaraswamy said “Considering the opposition from Congress leaders then and also respecting the sentiments of the farmers of Bidadi, the project was stalled. But the State Government led by the Congress party is hell-bent on the project.”
Kumaraswamy said the idea behind Bidadi Township Project initiated by him as Chief Minister in 2006 was because Bengaluru’s growth had reached a saturation point and 5 townships were proposed 30-km away from Bengaluru city then.
Meanwhile, JDS on its social media handle assured the farmers of its backing to the protest and warned the State Government that JDS will not tolerate attempts to snub farmers. The JDS post stated farmers in Bidadi lead a life growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, ragi, coconut among others in huge quantities and displacement of farmers would render “injustice” to them.
