Bidadi Township Row: Kumaraswamy to join farmers, awaits CM Shivakumar on June 27
Synopsis
A land dispute that farmers have sustained for nearly 470 days is heading toward a high-stakes face-off at Bidadi on June 27, as Union Minister Kumaraswamy plants himself with aggrieved farmers and dares CM Shivakumar to show up. With 70–80% of farmers reportedly opposed and only ₹19 crore disbursed against a ₹20,000 crore project, the numbers tell a story the government may find hard to spin.
Key Takeaways
Kumaraswamy announced on 26 June he would join farmers opposing the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project at Bidadi on 27 June .
He has written to CM D.K.
Shivakumar twice, inviting him to Byramangala village for on-site talks with affected residents.
Kumaraswamy claims 70–80% of farmers oppose the project; their agitation has crossed 450–470 days .
The government claims to have paid ₹19 crore in compensation against a project valued at ₹20,000 crore .
Kumaraswamy alleged a counter-protest of around 20 people was organised to undercut the farmers' agitation.
He cited the UPA's 2013 land acquisition law, alleging the Congress government is violating its own legislation in pursuing the project.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday, 26 June declared he would stand with farmers opposing the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project at Bidadi, and await Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's arrival at the site on 27 June for talks. The standoff marks a fresh flashpoint in a land acquisition dispute that farmers have sustained for nearly 470 days.
Key Developments
Kumaraswamy confirmed he had written to Chief Minister Shivakumar for the second time, inviting him to visit Byramangala village on 27 June for a direct interaction with residents likely to be displaced by the project. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said, 'I have already informed him that I will be with the farmers tomorrow at the time I had proposed. If he comes, it is welcome. The issue should be resolved smoothly.'
He said he intended to remain at the site until noon, awaiting the Chief Minister's presence, and stressed the matter must be settled through dialogue and, if necessary, legal proceedings.
What Kumaraswamy Said
The Union Minister was emphatic that his intervention carried no personal political motive. 'My agitation is not against Chief Minister Shivakumar. The farmers approached me nearly two months ago, strongly opposing the acquisition of their lands. My struggle is for their interests. Around 70 to 80 per cent of the farmers are opposed to the project,' he said.
He added that if all farmers consented to the acquisition, he would raise no objection. 'There is no prestige issue involved for me,' he underlined. On the question of compensation, he questioned the government's figures: 'After all these developments, how many people have actually received compensation? They claim to have paid ₹19 crore. For a project worth ₹20,000 crore, they are forcing compensation on people.'
Allegations of Counter-Protest
Kumaraswamy alleged that the government had orchestrated a counter-demonstration to dilute the farmers' agitation. 'Since yesterday, they have made a few people sit in protest claiming that they are ready to part with their lands and accept compensation. Around 20 people have put up a tent in front of those farmers who have been protesting against land acquisition for more than 400 days,' he alleged. He said he was aware of who was behind the move but did not name them.
Responding to Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna's suggestion that the Chief Minister's visit could trigger a law and order problem, Kumaraswamy remarked that by that logic, all the farmers should instead be invited to Vidhana Soudha.
Historical Context and Legal Angle
Kumaraswamy drew on his own tenure as Chief Minister between 2006 and 2007, when he said he had invited 500 to 600 farmers opposing the Bidadi project to his official residence on three separate occasions for detailed discussions. He also pointed out that Assembly records from that period show Congress leaders themselves had opposed the project at the time, and urged Shivakumar to review those records before proceeding.
On the legal dimension, Kumaraswamy cited the land acquisition law enacted by the UPA government in 2013, alleging the current Congress administration was violating its own party's legislation in pushing the project forward. 'We must prepare for a legal battle,' he said.
What Happens Next
Chief Minister Shivakumar's visit to the Bidadi site on 27 June will be closely watched as a potential turning point — or escalation — in a dispute that has now stretched beyond 450 days. Whether the two sides can reach a consensus through dialogue, or whether the matter moves to court, will determine the fate of a township project positioned as a major expansion of Bengaluru's urban footprint.
Point of View
Or whether it is itself a contested statistic in a highly politicised dispute. With only ₹19 crore disbursed for a ₹20,000 crore project, the compensation process appears embryonic at best — and that gap is where the real legal battle will be fought.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project at Bidadi?
It is a proposed large-scale urban township project near Bidadi, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, valued at approximately ₹20,000 crore. The project requires land acquisition from local farmers, a significant number of whom have been protesting against it for over 450 days.
Why is H.D. Kumaraswamy opposing the Bidadi project?
Kumaraswamy says he is not opposed to the project itself but is standing with farmers who approached him nearly two months ago with strong objections to the land acquisition. He claims 70–80% of affected farmers are unwilling to part with their lands and that the government is proceeding without adequate consensus.
What has the Karnataka government paid in compensation so far?
According to Kumaraswamy, the government claims to have disbursed ₹19 crore in compensation against a project worth ₹20,000 crore. He described this as forcing compensation on people and questioned how many farmers had actually received payment.
What is the legal angle Kumaraswamy is raising?
Kumaraswamy has alleged that the Congress-led Karnataka government is violating the land acquisition law enacted by the UPA government in 2013 — a law his own party's Congress enacted. He has indicated farmers and supporters are preparing for a legal battle if dialogue fails.
What is expected to happen on June 27 at Bidadi?
Kumaraswamy has said he will be at Byramangala village until noon on 27 June, standing with protesting farmers and awaiting Chief Minister Shivakumar's arrival for on-site discussions. Whether Shivakumar attends and whether the two sides can reach a dialogue breakthrough will be the key development to watch.
