Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Monday, 10 August declared that the party stands firmly behind farmers opposing land acquisition in Bidadi, dismissing any suggestion of internal confusion over the party's position. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Vijayendra asserted that protecting farmers' land is a non-negotiable commitment for the BJP — in Bidadi and across Karnataka.

BJP's Stand on the Bidadi Padayatra

Vijayendra confirmed that the BJP extended symbolic support to the padayatra organised by the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), rather than co-organising it, after the JD(S) independently announced the date. He said he had spoken to JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy by phone the previous week to explore a joint march.

'I spoke to Kumaraswamy over the phone last week and told him that the BJP is also with the farmers. We discussed the possibility of the BJP and JD(S) jointly conducting the padayatra. Kumaraswamy responded positively to the proposal,' Vijayendra said.

However, after JD(S) announced its own date unilaterally, the BJP decided to offer symbolic backing and simultaneously pursue the farmers' cause within the state legislature. BJP Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka was among the party leaders who participated in the padayatra.

Why Vijayendra Skipped the March

Vijayendra clarified that his personal absence from the padayatra was due to pre-scheduled party programmes in Chikkaballapur and Kolar ahead of Legislative Council elections — events that had already been postponed multiple times at the request of local leaders. He denied any political motive behind his absence.

Allegations Against the State Government

Vijayendra alleged that the Karnataka state government is applying pressure on farmers leading the Bidadi protest, reportedly attempting to persuade some of them to withdraw from the agitation in exchange for compensation.

'We have received information that the state government is putting pressure on the farmers who are leading the struggle in Bidadi and is trying to make some of them withdraw from the protest in the name of compensation. We have already brought this issue to the notice of the concerned minister,' he said.

He also alleged that during a recent visit to Chikkaballapur, he learnt of an attempt by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) to forcibly acquire farmers' land in Shidlaghatta. 'The BJP will not tolerate any attempt to forcibly take away farmers' land,' Vijayendra warned.

What the Bidadi Project Involves

At the centre of the dispute is the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) — formerly known as the Bidadi Township Project — a proposed mega-development spanning 7,400 to 9,600 acres across 25 villages, located roughly 40 km from Bengaluru near Bidadi. Promoted as India's first AI-powered 'work-live-play' city, the project carries an estimated investment of over ₹18,000 crore.

The state government issued a preliminary notification in March last year for the acquisition of 7,481 acres across nine villages, with further notifications expected. Farmers across the affected villages have been resisting the acquisition, citing inadequate compensation and displacement concerns.

What Comes Next

The BJP has signalled it will keep pressure on the ruling government both on the streets and inside the Karnataka legislature. With Legislative Council elections in Chikkaballapur and Kolar on the horizon, the farmers' land issue is set to remain a politically charged flashpoint in the state.