BJP-JD(S) unite against Bidadi Township project in Karnataka
Synopsis
Karnataka's BJP and JD(S) are closing ranks against the Bidadi Township project, with Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka alleging it serves real estate interests over farmers. With a padayatra planned and a coordination meeting on Saturday, the opposition is signalling a sustained campaign — layered with sweeping corruption charges against the Shivakumar cabinet.
Key Takeaways
BJP and JD(S) announced a joint agitation against the Bidadi Township project on 6 August .
Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R.
Ashoka confirmed talks with Union Minister H.D.
Kumaraswamy to fight unitedly.
A padayatra is planned; a coordination meeting is scheduled for Saturday .
Ashoka alleged a commission of ₹100 per square foot in building construction and ₹1–2 crore payments for veterinary officer posts.
Shivakumar's cabinet a ‘payment cabinet,’ alleging commission rates could rise from 60% to 80% .
Ashoka called the reported resignation of Basavaraj Horatti an ‘insult to the Constitution.’
Karnataka opposition parties BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) have announced a joint agitation against the Bidadi Township project, alleging the Congress-led state government is pushing the development to benefit the real estate mafia at the expense of farmers. The announcement was made on 6 August by Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka during a press interaction in New Delhi.
Joint Struggle Announced
Ashoka confirmed he has held discussions with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) to mount a united front against the project. The two parties plan to wage the fight both inside and outside the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, including a padayatra against the Bidadi Township initiative. A formal coordination meeting is scheduled for Saturday to finalise the joint stand and strategy.
Corruption Allegations Against the Congress Government
Ashoka levelled a string of corruption allegations against the ruling Congress. He alleged that the government has fixed commissions on public works, claiming a levy of ₹100 per square foot in building construction. He further alleged large-scale irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers, stating that family members of Congress leaders were appointed to posts, with candidates reportedly paying ₹1–2 crore for positions, and that audio evidence had surfaced in this regard.
Ashoka also called Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's new cabinet a ‘payment cabinet,’ alleging that ministers secured their posts by paying money and would seek to recover that amount from the public. He claimed the commission rate on government contracts would rise from 60 per cent to 80 per cent under the new dispensation. He also referenced an audio clip purportedly linked to R.B. Timmapur and alleged that Congress leader Randeep Surjewala was visiting MLAs’ homes amid political turbulence involving resignation threats from more than 20–30 MLAs.
Constitutional Posts and Speaker Row
Ashoka criticised the Congress over the reported resignation of Basavaraj Horatti, calling it ‘an insult to the Constitution.’ He argued that the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker must remain non-partisan, and that associating them with party lists undermines their sanctity.
Broader Political Charges
Ashoka also made wider ideological charges against Congress, alleging the party ‘cannot stand Hinduism’ and supports those who raise anti-national slogans. He invoked B.R. Ambedkar, saying Congress should follow constitutional values before commenting on religion. These remarks reflect the sharpened culture-war framing the BJP has adopted ahead of future electoral cycles in Karnataka.
With a coordination meeting set for Saturday and a padayatra in the pipeline, the BJP-JD(S) combine is expected to formally escalate its campaign against the Bidadi project in the coming days.
Point of View
Audio clips, cabinet payments — follows a familiar opposition playbook, but the emergence of audio evidence, if verified, could shift the story from politics to accountability. Karnataka’s Congress government, already navigating MLA disquiet, cannot afford for the Bidadi issue to become a sustained street-level campaign.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bidadi Township project and why are BJP and JD(S) opposing it?
The Bidadi Township project is a large-scale urban development initiative in Karnataka. The BJP and JD(S) allege it is being pursued for the benefit of the real estate sector at the expense of farmers, and have announced a joint agitation — including a padayatra — to oppose it.
What did R. Ashoka say about corruption in the Karnataka government?
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka alleged that the Congress government collects a commission of ₹100 per square foot in building construction and that candidates paid ₹1–2 crore for veterinary officer posts. He also termed Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s cabinet a ‘payment cabinet,’ claiming ministers paid to secure their positions.
What is the significance of the BJP-JD(S) coordination meeting on Saturday?
The coordination meeting is scheduled to finalise the joint strategy of the BJP and JD(S) against the Bidadi Township project. It is expected to set the timeline for the padayatra and define the scope of the combined opposition campaign inside and outside the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
What did Ashoka say about the Speaker and Deputy Speaker posts?
Ashoka argued that the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker must remain non-partisan and that linking them to party lists destroys their sanctity. He called the reported resignation of Basavaraj Horatti an ‘insult to the Constitution.’
Who is H.D. Kumaraswamy and what role is he playing in this issue?
H.D. Kumaraswamy is a Union Minister and senior JD(S) leader. According to Ashoka, the two leaders have held discussions to mount a united front against the Bidadi Township project, with the JD(S) joining the BJP in the planned agitation.
