Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda during a press conference in Bengaluru on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda on Saturday announced that he would launch a struggle against the proposed township project in Bidadi, alleging that fertile agricultural land was being targeted in the name of urban development.Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Gowda accused the government of facilitating a “land business” under the guise of a township project and said farmers in the region were living in fear and uncertainty.“My fight for the farmers of Bidadi begins from today,” he said, asserting that there was strong opposition to the project among local residents.Earlier proposals withdrawnDrawing comparisons with the satellite township proposals initiated during the tenure of H.D. Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister, Mr. Gowda said those projects had been withdrawn after public opposition and criticism from Congress leaders.“At that time, campaigns were launched alleging land grabbing and inquiries were ordered. Now, the very people who opposed those projects are attempting something far more dangerous,” he alleged. He urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to intervene and review the project.The former Prime Minister said he had already written to the Chief Minister seeking an inquiry into land ownership patterns around Bengaluru and questioning in whose names nearly 20,000 acres of land were held.DKS respondsThe remarks drew a sharp response from Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who alleged that it was the Kumaraswamy family that had amassed wealth through real estate dealings.Mr. Shivakumar said those now opposing the Bidadi township project were themselves responsible for initiating similar projects earlier.“Yesterday they said the Bidadi township should not be implemented. But who issued the notification for it in the first place? It was them,” he said.Real estateReferring to land transactions linked to the Peripheral Ring Road corridor, Mr. Shivakumar alleged that members of the Kumaraswamy family had benefited from real estate activity in the area.“Those who made money through real estate are from Kumaraswamy’s family. His elder brother acquired properties in the PRR area by intimidating people,” he alleged.He further claimed that lands in areas such as Doddagubbi and Chikkagubbi, purchased years ago at low prices, were now worth several crores .“People there will tell you how lands registered for ₹7 lakh or ₹10 lakh are today worth ₹25 crore to ₹50 crore,” Mr. Shivakumar added. Published - May 16, 2026 10:10 pm IST
