Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday, 25 July assured that farmers protesting against the Bidadi township project would not face harassment, and confirmed that the long-pending Cabinet expansion is expected to take place next week. He made the remarks while addressing reporters at the Vedavathi Science College grounds in Hiriyur, Chitradurga district.

Assurance to Bidadi Farmers

Responding to questions on whether cases filed against protesting farmers would be withdrawn, Shivakumar said the state government views them as its own people. 'They are our farmers. We will not put pressure on anyone or cause inconvenience to them. They are our people. They cannot live without us, and we cannot live without them. We will take an appropriate decision,' he said.

The Bidadi township project, a large-scale urban development initiative near Bengaluru, has drawn sustained opposition from local farming communities who fear displacement and loss of agricultural land. This is the Chief Minister's most direct public assurance yet that the government will not use coercive measures against the protesters.

Cabinet Expansion Expected Next Week

Shivakumar confirmed that the much-anticipated Karnataka Cabinet expansion — delayed for months amid reported factional negotiations within the Indian National Congress (INC) — is likely to materialise next week. He did not elaborate on the number of berths or names under consideration.

Public-Private Push for Rural Education

The Chief Minister also floated a public-private partnership (PPP) model for school education, urging leading private schools in urban areas to adopt government schools in rural Karnataka that are grappling with teacher shortages. 'Rural children should not have to migrate to cities for quality education. They deserve Bengaluru-level education in their own villages,' he said.

Shivakumar clarified that the initiative would apply only to select private institutions meeting specific standards, and that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding could be channelled to strengthen primary education. He noted that the state currently spends nearly ₹1.40 lakh per child annually on education, yet quality delivery remains uneven across the state.

BJP and KPSC Row

Taking aim at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) controversy, Shivakumar alleged that the KPSC Chairman was appointed during the previous BJP government's tenure. 'The BJP is unable to withstand the criticism it is facing. We have demanded a discussion in Parliament and sought the resignation of the Education Minister. The KPSC Chairman was not appointed by us; he was appointed during the BJP's tenure. They are now trapped in their own actions,' he said.

He added that the Congress government would conduct a thorough inquiry and take legal action wherever warranted, stating: 'In a democracy, protests cannot be stopped. We have accepted the Governor's communication and will conduct an inquiry and take legal action wherever necessary.'

Drought Review in Chitradurga

Shivakumar said he had deliberately chosen to hold a drought review meeting in Chitradurga rather than Bengaluru to assess ground conditions firsthand. He noted that apart from the Almatti reservoir region, most parts of Karnataka have received inadequate rainfall, with drought conditions intensifying across the state.

'We have instructed officials to ensure that there is no shortage of drinking water under any circumstances,' he said, adding that data on the drought situation had already been collected and he would discuss the issue with public representatives. The Chief Minister said he would visit affected areas in districts including Tumakuru, Shivamogga, Chitradurga, and Davanagere. He also announced he would return to Chitradurga on Sunday to attend a condolence meeting in memory of the late former Minister D. Sudhakar.