Ramanagara (Karnataka), Sep 27 (NationPress) - Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar publicly criticized former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for their stance against the land acquisition for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) in Ramanagara district.

While addressing the press in Ramanagara, Shivakumar responded to inquiries about the opposition to GBIT.

"Why are former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, and former JD-S MLA A. Manjunath questioning me now, when they previously backed the BJP-led state government's decision to allocate 900 acres to the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB)? Why did they not raise objections back then?"

Regarding Deve Gowda's protests against GBIT, he stated, "If Deve Gowda wishes to protest, I welcome it. However, it was his own son (H.D. Kumaraswamy) who issued the project notification. The agreement for the Bidadi Township was signed during their (BJP-JD(S)) administration, and funds were collected."

"Why didn't they denotify this land while in power? When former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa allocated the land to KIADB, all farmers were compensated. That land now legally belongs to KIADB. Why did they support the process back then without questioning it?"

On the demand to return the land to its original condition, the Deputy Chief Minister remarked, "I will not entertain their claims. Our (Congress) government operates within the law. Compensation ranging from Rs 90 lakh to Rs 1 crore per acre was provided even during Yediyurappa's administration. If the land was meant to remain untouched, why wasn't it done then? Wasn't Manjunath the MLA at that time? Today, farmers fully support this project; there is no dissent from them."

When asked about the ongoing conflicts, Shivakumar replied: "There is a legal framework, and we (Congress government) will operate within it. I've offered farmers an excellent deal. If someone refuses compensation, we will deposit the amount in court based on the prior notification."

"They could have resolved this during their own tenure. I will not be influenced by brokers or middlemen. I know who the genuine farmers are, who the impostors are, and who the agents are. Shouldn't we publish a list of those who received compensation for the 900 acres given to KIADB?"

When questioned about the political motivations behind the protests led by Opposition Leader (LoP) R. Ashoka and Deve Gowda, he stated: "Let LoP R. Ashoka join, let Deve Gowda come. I am indifferent to their political protest. They are aware of the facts."

"When LoP Ashoka had the authority to act, why didn't he denotify the land? Why didn't Yediyurappa do it? Why didn’t Deve Gowda have his son (H.D. Kumaraswamy) address the issue? It was their constituency back then. I wasn't even a Minister at that time. Couldn't his son have said, 'This isn't right; let's stop it?" Shivakumar questioned.

"They did not address it then, and now they want to engage in politics and blame us. Only the political opponents of Congress MLA HC Balakrishna are protesting today."