Shivakumar hits back at Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy over Bidadi row
Synopsis
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar's 'jail is not new for me' salvo at Kumaraswamy and Deve Gowda is more than political bravado — it is a direct play for Vokkaliga dominance. With the Bidadi Township row giving the JD(S) a mobilisation issue, Shivakumar is fighting on two fronts: legal credibility and community loyalty.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar on 15 July publicly challenged Union Minister H.D.
Kumaraswamy and former PM H.D.
Deve Gowda at a press conference in Bengaluru .
Shivakumar declared 'jail is not new for me' and said the Supreme Court had dismissed cases against him.
He ruled out forced land acquisition for the Bidadi Township Project and announced an expert panel to be formed soon.
All three leaders — Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy, and Deve Gowda — belong to the Vokkaliga community, making this a contest for community dominance in South Karnataka .
The BJP and JD(S) have accused the Congress government of targeting agricultural land; the government has repeatedly denied this.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday, 15 July launched a sharp counter-offensive against Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and his father, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, declaring that jail holds no fear for him and accusing the Janata Dal (Secular) leadership of conspiring to block his political rise. The remarks came amid an intensifying row over the proposed Bidadi Township Project in Karnataka.
Shivakumar's Direct Challenge
Addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister did not mince words. 'Kumaraswamy has repeatedly said that I will go to jail one day. I wish him good luck. Jail is not new to me. He visited me there respectfully. Continue your struggle and your efforts to send me to jail,' Shivakumar said.
He added, 'Some people have not been able to digest the fact that I have become Chief Minister. They cannot tolerate the development taking place in the State or the affection people have shown me.' Shivakumar further noted that the Supreme Court had dismissed the cases against him and that he had emerged from jail to become Chief Minister — a trajectory he described as proof that the conspiracies had failed.
The Bidadi Township Dispute
The Bidadi Township Project has become the flashpoint for a broader political conflict, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) accusing the Congress government of seeking to acquire agricultural land — a charge the government has consistently denied. On Wednesday, Shivakumar categorically ruled out forced land acquisition and announced plans to constitute an expert panel to examine the project. He also asserted that the township was neither his 'dream project' nor one he had initiated, accusing opponents of misleading farmers.
Shivakumar drew parallels with land acquisitions carried out under previous administrations, citing instances of farmers near Bengaluru who parted with land during the tenures of former Chief Ministers S.M. Krishna and M. Veerappa Moily for modest compensation, with those properties now worth substantially more.
The Vokkaliga Factor
The dispute carries a pronounced community dimension. Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy, and Deve Gowda all belong to the Vokkaliga community, which commands significant electoral weight in South Karnataka. The contest between Shivakumar and the Deve Gowda family for Vokkaliga loyalty has sharpened in recent months, and the Bidadi controversy has become another arena for that rivalry to play out.
Appeal Over Protests
Referring to Deve Gowda's participation in demonstrations against the project, Shivakumar appealed for restraint. 'I do not want anyone, especially at this age, to stand near the Mahatma Gandhi statue and protest. No mother should have to beat government officials with brooms. If I am guilty and have destroyed livelihoods, I am ready to face criticism,' he said.
What Comes Next
The formation of an expert panel on the Bidadi Township Project is expected shortly, according to the Chief Minister's office. The political battle over the project — and the Vokkaliga community's allegiance — is unlikely to ease before Karnataka's next electoral cycle. How Shivakumar manages the land acquisition narrative will be a key test of his government's credibility with farming communities in the region.
Point of View
And Shivakumar's announcement of an expert panel, rather than a firm project defence, suggests his government recognises the political risk. The deeper question is whether the Congress can hold Vokkaliga support without Shivakumar making concessions that undermine the township's viability — a bind that no amount of combative press conferencing fully resolves.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Karnataka CM Shivakumar say about going to jail?
Shivakumar said 'jail is not new for me' and told Kumaraswamy to 'continue your struggle and your efforts to send me to jail.' He noted that the Supreme Court had dismissed the cases against him and that he had gone on to become Chief Minister after his release.
What is the Bidadi Township Project controversy about?
The Bidadi Township Project is a proposed urban development initiative in Karnataka that has drawn opposition from the BJP and JD(S), who allege the Congress government intends to acquire agricultural land. The government has denied forced acquisition and CM Shivakumar announced an expert panel to review the project.
Why is the Vokkaliga community central to this political dispute?
Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy, and Deve Gowda all belong to the Vokkaliga community, which holds significant electoral influence in South Karnataka. The rivalry between Shivakumar and the Deve Gowda family for Vokkaliga support has intensified, with the Bidadi row becoming the latest flashpoint.
What action has Shivakumar announced on Bidadi Township?
Shivakumar ruled out forced land acquisition for the Bidadi Township Project and said he would constitute an expert panel shortly to examine the proposal. He also clarified that the project was not his initiative and accused opponents of misleading farmers.
Who is H.D. Kumaraswamy and why is he involved?
H.D. Kumaraswamy is a Union Minister and son of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. He is a senior leader of the Janata Dal (Secular) and has reportedly predicted on multiple occasions that Shivakumar would be imprisoned — remarks the Chief Minister directly addressed at Wednesday's press conference.
