Bidadi Township row: Congress MLA says BJP, JD-S targeting Shivakumar politically
Synopsis
A senior Congress MLA has turned the Bidadi Township controversy into a political counter-offensive, alleging that BJP and JD-S opposition is less about farmers and more about blocking D.K. Shivakumar. With the government raising compensation to ₹2.5 crore per acre and 80 per cent of landowners reportedly preferring land allotment, the dispute is as much about Karnataka's power dynamics as it is about agricultural land.
Key Takeaways
Balakrishna on 17 June alleged that BJP and JD-S opposition to the Bidadi Township project is politically motivated against CM D.K.
The project reportedly originated during H.D.
Kumaraswamy's tenure and saw earlier acquisition moves under the BJP government via KIADB .
The government has raised land compensation from ₹1.5 crore to ₹2.5 crore per acre ; farmers can also opt for 50% of developed land.
Nearly 80% of affected landowners reportedly prefer land allotment over cash compensation.
Around 1,000 acres have already been acquired at ₹90 lakh to ₹1 crore per acre , with another 1,000 acres earmarked for the township.
Balakrishna alleged some JD-S leaders who now oppose the project had themselves accepted compensation earlier.
Senior Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna on Tuesday, 17 June accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S) of opposing the proposed Bidadi Township project near Bengaluru not out of genuine concern for farmers, but to politically undermine Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Balakrishna made the remarks while speaking to reporters near a resort in Bidadi.
The Political Accusation
Balakrishna alleged that opposition leaders, including Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, had remained silent when the land acquisition process was initiated during former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's tenure — even as some farmers opposed it then. 'Opposition leaders are now protesting against the project only because they cannot tolerate D.K. Shivakumar becoming Chief Minister,' he alleged.
He further claimed that BJP and JD-S leaders from the Vokkaliga community were uncomfortable with Shivakumar's rise, having assumed that Siddaramaiah would never cede power.
Project Origins and BJP's Earlier Role
Balakrishna pointed out that the township proposal did not originate with the current Congress government. According to him, the project was first conceived during Kumaraswamy's tenure and was later revived after farmers sought either the removal of red-zone restrictions or compensation.
He recalled that when then Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar under the BJP government had proposed acquiring 1,000 acres through the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), Balakrishna himself had demanded that the entire area be acquired rather than leaving remaining land under red-zone restrictions. He also alleged that B.Y. Vijayendra had earlier assured local representatives of better compensation and had discussed plans to bring aeronautical industries to the region.
'Had BJP acted then, farmers would not have been forced into agitation today,' Balakrishna said, accusing the party of opportunistic politics.
Compensation and Farmer Consent
On the compensation package, Balakrishna said the government had raised the land valuation from ₹1.5 crore to ₹2.5 crore per acre, well above the legally mandated level. He noted that besides the 1,000 acres earmarked for the township, another 1,000 acres had already been acquired, with compensation ranging from ₹90 lakh to ₹1 crore per acre.
Farmers dissatisfied with cash compensation, he added, could opt to receive 50 per cent of the developed land instead. He claimed that nearly 80 per cent of affected landowners prefer land allotment over monetary compensation, and that the majority had agreed to part with their land. He alleged that some JD-S leaders now opposing the project had themselves accepted compensation at the time of the earlier acquisition.
On Farmland and Real Estate Concerns
Responding to criticism that fertile agricultural land was being acquired, Balakrishna argued that much of Bidadi had already witnessed extensive real-estate development. He maintained that red-zone restrictions had, in fact, prevented further conversion of farmland. He also questioned why R. Ashoka had not raised the issue in the legislature despite requests from farmers, and why BJP leaders had not objected to investor benefits when they were in power.
With the government continuing efforts to persuade the remaining landowners, the Bidadi Township dispute is set to remain a flashpoint in Karnataka politics — testing whether Congress can separate genuine agrarian grievance from what it characterises as manufactured opposition.
Point of View
But Balakrishna's counter-offensive reveals something more telling: the Congress is less interested in defending the project on its merits than in framing every objection as caste-tinged anti-Shivakumar sentiment. The compensation revision to ₹2.5 crore per acre is significant, but the claim that 80 per cent of farmers prefer land allotment over cash deserves independent verification — such figures have historically been contested in Karnataka acquisition disputes. Most notably, if the project indeed has roots in both Kumaraswamy's and BJP's tenure, the question is why those governments also failed to resolve farmer concerns, a thread Balakrishna raises but does not fully answer.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bidadi Township project?
The Bidadi Township is a proposed urban development project near Bengaluru involving the acquisition of land — including around 1,000 acres earmarked for the township and another 1,000 acres already acquired — through the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB). According to Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna, the project originated during former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy's tenure and has since been revived under the current Congress government led by CM D.K. Shivakumar.
Why are BJP and JD-S opposing the Bidadi Township project?
BJP and JD-S leaders say they are opposing the project in support of farmers whose agricultural land is being acquired. However, Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna has alleged that the opposition is politically motivated — aimed at targeting Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar — and that these same leaders remained silent when similar acquisition moves were made under their own governments.
What compensation are farmers being offered for the Bidadi land acquisition?
The Karnataka government has reportedly raised the compensation rate from ₹1.5 crore to ₹2.5 crore per acre, which Balakrishna described as well above the legally mandated level. Farmers who prefer not to take cash can opt to receive 50 per cent of the developed land instead; nearly 80 per cent of affected landowners reportedly prefer this land-allotment option.
Did previous governments initiate land acquisition in Bidadi?
Yes, according to Balakrishna. He stated that land acquisition began during former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's tenure and that then Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar under the BJP government had proposed acquiring 1,000 acres via KIADB. He also alleged that B.Y. Vijayendra had earlier promised better compensation to local representatives and discussed bringing aeronautical industries to the area.
How many farmers support the Bidadi Township project?
Balakrishna claimed that the majority of affected farmers have agreed to part with their land and that the government is continuing efforts to convince the remaining landowners. He said that while some farmers oppose the project, many others are demanding speedy implementation so they can receive compensation.
