BJP Delegation Demands Halt to Bidadi Land Acquisition, Alleges Farmer Intimidation

Ahigh-profile delegation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, led by State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, recently visited Bidadi township to express solidarity with farmers who are actively opposing the state government's land acquisition plans. The visit comes amidst escalating political tensions surrounding the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project, with the BJP accusing the ruling Congress government of intimidation tactics and prioritizing real estate interests over the welfare of the agricultural community.

The delegation, which included prominent leaders such as Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka and LoP in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, toured several villages in the Bidadi region, including Kempayyana Palya, Aralalasandra, Hosur, and Bannigiri. During their visit, BJP leaders engaged directly with local farmers to gain a comprehensive understanding of their grievances regarding the acquisition of fertile agricultural land for the ambitious township project. They visited a milk dairy and sericulture farms, discussing the challenges faced by dairy and silk farmers and the potential detrimental impact of the project on their livelihoods.

Speaking to the media, B.Y. Vijayendra vehemently criticized the Congress government, alleging that its primary focus was not on farmers or providing housing for the poor, but rather on real estate ventures. He asserted that the government was attempting to acquire valuable agricultural land in Bidadi for the township project, a move the BJP strongly opposes. Vijayendra highlighted complaints from farmers who claimed to have been 'threatened by goons' to surrender their land for 'throwaway prices,' urging Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar not to forcibly displace them.

Farmers in the region have been protesting the land acquisition for over 200 days, with many stating they would rather give up their lives than their agricultural land. The opposition disputes the government's claim that the identified land is barren, arguing that approximately 6,500 acres are highly fertile, supporting significant yields of coconut and mango, and sustaining thousands of families. R. Ashoka, Leader of Opposition, further bolstered this claim by stating that data from a primary co-operative milk collection center in Bidadi showed about one crore liters of milk procured annually, generating substantial revenue, and that the sericultural sector also contributed significantly to the local economy.

The GBIT project, also known as the Bidadi Smart City project, is envisioned as a "work-live-play" model, proposed to span approximately 9,600 acres across nine revenue villages and 16 non-revenue villages in Bidadi, roughly 40 kilometers from Bengaluru. Touted as India's first AI-powered integrated township, it aims to create a second central business district for Bengaluru, focusing on AI industries, manufacturing, and sports infrastructure. The estimated cost for the overall project, including land acquisition, is approximately ₹18,133 crore.

The Karnataka government issued a final notification on June 13, 2026, for the acquisition of 516 acres of agricultural land across Byramangala and Kanchugaranahalli village panchayats in Ramanagara district, despite sustained protests. This notification follows a preliminary notification issued in March 2025 by the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority (GBDA), which affected approximately 10,450 landowners. The government's compensation framework offers affected farmers either 50 percent of developed residential land or 45 percent of commercial land per acre, along with monetary compensation and annual financial support during the development phase. However, protesting farmers are demanding ₹5 to ₹6 crore per acre upfront, significantly higher than the government's offer of ₹1.5 crore to ₹3 crore per acre.

The political confrontation has intensified, with the BJP and JD(S) both writing to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, seeking his intervention to halt the land acquisition, portraying it as an assault on fertile farmland and farmers' livelihoods. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, however, defended the project, stating that 80% of landowners had agreed to part with their land and that the project was a continuation of long-standing development plans, even suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the initiative. Vijayendra refuted this, calling it 'inappropriate' to drag the Prime Minister's name into the controversy, emphasizing that Modi has never supported policies detrimental to farmers.

The BJP has vowed to continue its support for the farmers and oppose what they term a 'bad decision' by the state government, pledging to deal with the issue both politically and legally. The ongoing dispute underscores the complex challenges of urban development and industrialization in agricultural regions, highlighting the delicate balance between progress and protecting farmers' rights and traditional livelihoods. India has specific legislation, such as the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001, aimed at protecting farmers' rights, which adds another layer of legal and ethical consideration to such land acquisition cases.