Congress Leaders Signal Possible Rethink on Bidadi Township as Farmers Resist Land Acquisition

The Karnataka Congress leadership has indicated a possible reassessment of the Bidadi Township Project, with senior leaders suggesting the project may be abandoned if farmers in the area are unwilling to sell their land. The cautious stance by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president B.K. Hariprasad and Home Minister Priyank Kharge is seen as a shift from the earlier push by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who had emphasised the project's role in urban expansion and investment.

Mr. Hariprasad has expressed sympathy for farmers' concerns and advocated for wider consultations, stating that the government should not proceed with the project if it causes large-scale distress. He emphasised that farmers' consent is crucial, noting that compensation would be paid at three times the market value under the land acquisition law enacted during the previous UPA government. Mr. Hariprasad also pointed out that the project was originally conceived during the previous government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy.

Mr. Kharge, meanwhile, suggested that the township project could be relocated to another part of Karnataka as part of the government's 'Go Beyond Bengaluru' policy aimed at balanced regional development. 'Whatever happens must happen according to the law,' he said. 'Just like industries move out, the township project too can be relocated to another part of the State.'

The differences in approach between Mr. Hariprasad and Chief Minister Shivakumar have come to the fore. While Mr. Shivakumar has focused on economic growth and investment opportunities, Mr. Hariprasad appears concerned about potential political fallout among rural communities. A BJP functionary highlighted a earlier remark by Mr. Hariprasad that 'those who seek power and positions go with Mr. Shivakumar, while those who want to strengthen the party join hands with me.'

The controversy has the potential to evolve from a straightforward government-versus-Opposition confrontation into a wider debate within the Congress party over how large-scale land acquisition projects should be pursued. The protesting farmers, joined by the BJP-JD(S) alliance, have welcomed the signals from the Congress leaders, strengthening their resolve.