Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Saturday, 25 July threw his weight behind farmers resisting the proposed acquisition of fertile agricultural land in the Kanakapura region for Bengaluru's second international airport, demanding that the Congress-led state government withdraw the current plan and explore an alternative site. The move sharpens political pressure on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, whose native constituency sits at the centre of the controversy.

Farmers Submit Memorandum to Vijayendra

Residents and cultivators from K. Chudahalli, Somanahalli, and surrounding villages near Kanakapura called on Vijayendra and handed over a formal representation detailing their objections. Their concerns span loss of agricultural livelihoods, environmental degradation, and the permanent destruction of productive farmland that thousands of families depend upon.

'Local farmers and villagers, who are deeply worried about the proposal to acquire fertile agricultural land in K. Chudahalli, Somanahalli and surrounding areas of Kanakapura for Bengaluru's second international airport, met me today and submitted a representation,' Vijayendra said.

BJP's Position: Development Must Be People-Centric

Vijayendra was careful to frame the BJP's stance as pro-development rather than anti-infrastructure. 'We have never opposed development. However, development must be people-centric and should protect the interests of farmers,' he said. He added that no justification rooted in progress could make acceptable the destruction of fertile farmland and the displacement of farming communities.

Extending the party's formal backing to the agitation, he called on the state government to avoid a rushed decision. 'This is a legitimate struggle by farmers, and we extend our complete support to them. The state government should not take a rushed decision on this proposal. It must withdraw the plan in its present form, consider an alternative site for the airport and address the concerns of the farming community,' Vijayendra said.

The Kanakapura Factor and Political Undercurrents

The controversy carries an unmistakable political dimension. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar hails from the Kanakapura constituency, and opposition voices — including within his own party — have questioned whether proximity to his native region is influencing the site selection. Vijayendra had earlier alleged that Shivakumar was pushing the airport toward Kanakapura to benefit real estate interests in the area, a charge the Chief Minister has not publicly accepted.

Notably, the resistance to the Kanakapura site is not confined to the BJP. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara has publicly advocated placing the second airport in Tumakuru district, citing its strategic position between Bengaluru and Tumakuru. Vijayendra has echoed that preference, arguing that Tumakuru serves as a critical corridor linking Bengaluru with 20 other districts across Karnataka. Union Minister of State V. Somanna has gone further, specifically recommending a site near Sira town in Tumakuru district.

DGCA Report Awaited, Decision Pending

A technical assessment from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is still pending and is expected to be a decisive input in finalising the airport's location. Until that report is submitted and reviewed, no formal site decision is likely to be announced. The DGCA's findings will need to weigh airspace constraints, land availability, connectivity, and environmental impact — factors that could either validate or rule out Kanakapura as a viable option.

With cross-party opposition to the Kanakapura proposal hardening and farmer groups now formally engaging political leadership, the state government faces mounting pressure to revisit the site selection process before the DGCA report lands.