Senior Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna, a close associate of Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, on Saturday, 18 July launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) over the proposed Bidadi Township project, accusing former chief ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy and B.S. Yediyurappa of being stakeholders in the project's evolution. Speaking at a press conference at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office in Bengaluru, Balakrishna alleged that the opposition's planned padayatra against the township was not a protest but an act of political self-absolution.

Congress Frames BJP's Padayatra as 'Penitence March'

Balakrishna, who represents the Magadi constituency, described the BJP's proposed walkathon against the township as a 'prayaschitta yatra' — a penitence march — rather than a legitimate protest. 'This is not a padayatra but a prayaschitta yatra for the sins committed by BJP and JD(S) leaders. They were all stakeholders in the Bidadi Township project at various stages,' he said. He argued that opposition parties cannot now distance themselves from a project they actively advanced when in power.

Allegations Against Kumaraswamy and Yediyurappa

The Congress legislator alleged that Kumaraswamy had initiated the project during his tenure as chief minister and questioned the terms under which a public-private partnership agreement was entered into. He further alleged — without providing supporting evidence — that kickbacks were received at two separate stages: when the project was first awarded, and later when ₹400 crore was reportedly returned during the Yediyurappa government's tenure. Balakrishna claimed that records of meetings chaired by Kumaraswamy, along with decisions taken by subsequent governments, would be placed before the Assembly during the upcoming session.

A Project Carried Forward by Five Governments

According to Balakrishna, the Bidadi Township project was not the work of any single administration. He said it was carried forward successively by governments led by Yediyurappa, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Jagadish Shettar, and Basavaraj Bommai. He also cited a government notification dated 18 May 2021, which reportedly stated that around 9,000 acres near Bengaluru had been identified as suitable for an integrated township, with 35 per cent earmarked for industry and another 35 per cent for residential development. A committee headed by the Chief Secretary had also reportedly recommended developing the township during the BJP's tenure in office.

Deve Gowda Claim and Farmer Grievances

Recalling events from 2018, Balakrishna alleged that farmers affected by the project had approached former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda seeking intervention, but were told he could not stop the project. 'Deve Gowda told them he could not stop the project and that they should speak to his son,' Balakrishna claimed. The allegation directly implicates Kumaraswamy — Deve Gowda's son — in the project's continuation, though these claims remain unsubstantiated and have not been independently verified.

Vijayendra and Ashoka in the Crosshairs

Balakrishna also trained his fire on BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, accusing both of opposing the Bidadi Township project purely for political gain. The Congress's broader argument is that the current opposition stance is inconsistent with the decisions taken by their own governments over the past decade. With the Assembly session approaching and Congress promising to table documentary evidence, the Bidadi Township dispute is set to intensify.