Attacking the State government over issuing of final notification for 518 acres for the proposed Bidadi Integrated Township project, Janata Dal (Secular) leader and Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday announced that he would launch a legal battle against it.Describing the notification as an “anti farmer” move, the Union Minister said that he would stand firmly with the affected farmers and would fight for their rights. He alleged that the government’s intention was to facilitate large-scale real estate development under the guise of the township project despite sustained opposition from local farmers for 470 days.Though the idea had been conceived by his government in 2006, the project was dropped since it faced opposition then too, he added.Terming Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s earlier statement that there are no farmers in the area as “arrogant and serious insult”, Mr. Kumaraswamy asked the Chief Minister to visit Bidadi region to understand the landowners whose properties have been notified.The Union Minister has invited the Chief Minister to accompany him to villages in the area and interact with the residents directly. According to him, at least 80% of them are farmers. Published - June 12, 2026 09:46 pm IST