Kumaraswamy declines CM Shivakumar's invitation, suggests meeting at project site with farmers

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has declined Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's invitation to discuss the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project at Vidhana Soudha, instead proposing a meeting at the project site with affected farmers present.

In a letter dated Monday, Chief Minister Shivakumar invited Kumaraswamy and a five-member delegation to his office on June 26 at 11 am for formal talks on the controversial township project. However, Kumaraswamy responded late Monday evening, citing prior commitments for his inability to attend on the proposed date.

Kumaraswamy urged the Chief Minister to advance the meeting by a day and shift the venue to Bidadi or Byramangala, the locations where the project is planned. He argued that holding the meeting at the site would allow affected farmers to participate directly in the discussions.

The Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project has been a subject of contention, with farmers and local residents expressing concerns over land acquisition and compensation. The project aims to develop a large integrated township on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

Political observers note that the exchange highlights the ongoing friction between the two leaders, who belong to different parties. Kumaraswamy is a senior leader of the Janata Dal (Secular), while Shivakumar is from the Congress party, which currently leads the state government.

Neither side has issued further statements on the matter. The ball is now in the Chief Minister's court to respond to Kumaraswamy's counter-proposal.