New Delhi/Bengaluru, Sep 30 – Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government, accusing it of illegal land acquisition and favoritism under the guise of the Bidadi Township project.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy alleged that the current state government was “snatching land from poor farmers” and misusing a project he originally envisioned. “Back in 2006, I proposed five townships, including one near Bidadi. I held four public consultations, mainly with women farmers. Not a single inch of land was acquired forcibly during my tenure,” he stated.
Criticizing the Siddaramaiah-led administration, Kumaraswamy said: “They claim to be implementing my dream project, but are now distributing 500 acres to one person, 200 to another, and 300 to someone else — all their favorites. This is public land, not private property to be handed out at will.”
He emphasized that the original Bidadi Township plan, with a budget of ₹60,000 crore, had received clearance from the Union Government’s Economic Affairs Committee. “But after my government fell, the project was sidelined. Still, I didn’t grab any land,” he added.
Kumaraswamy also targeted Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, challenging him to “swear and declare how many homes he has demolished” in the name of development.
Further alleging large-scale fraud, he accused the state government of manipulating the original ‘Naija Society’ by inserting fake societies and members to illegally acquire land. “I have documents to prove these fraudulent activities,” he claimed.
Lamenting the state of Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy concluded, “The city built by Kempegowda has now been handed over to anti-social elements, land mafias, and thieves who are destroying it.”
