Bengaluru (Karnataka) – In a recent statement, Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka alleged that DK Shivakumar, who recently assumed the role of Chief Minister, has initiated real estate dealings in the state. Specifically, he pointed to the Bidadi Township project as a mechanism through which funds are being raised for upcoming elections in multiple states. Ashoka made these comments during a significant protest at Freedom Park, led by former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, which expressed opposition to the Bidadi Township initiative. The protest indicates a growing concern among local residents and political figures regarding the potential implications of this project on the community and land resources.
Ashoka criticized the current administration for what he perceives as a lack of focus on essential state issues, highlighting that no new irrigation projects have been announced since Shivakumar took office. He noted that infrastructure problems, such as pothole-filled roads, remain unaddressed and that farmers have not received necessary drought compensation. Ashoka suggested that the Revenue Minister's call for the Central Government to declare a national disaster reflects a strategy to divert accountability away from the state government’s failures. He asserted that the Shivakumar administration is failing the farmers and the broader population of Karnataka by prioritizing real estate initiatives over urgent agricultural and infrastructural needs.
In defending his position, Ashoka clarified that neither the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nor the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD[S]) played any role in the Bidadi Township project. He referenced past administrations, indicating that previous Chief Ministers, including DV Sadananda Gowda and Jagadish Shettar, did not pursue land acquisition for the project during their tenures. Ashoka emphasized that the BJP's leadership had consistently opposed the project, stating that it was never advanced under their governance. His remarks suggest a desire to distance his party from the current controversy surrounding the project while challenging the Congress party's motivations for its continued progression.
Furthermore, Ashoka raised questions about the Congress government's decision to advance a project that was initially proposed during H.D. Kumaraswamy's time as Chief Minister. He pointed out that Kumaraswamy had not pursued land acquisition and had even indicated in the assembly that implementation of the project was not forthcoming. Ashoka's critiques extend to Siddaramaiah, who, during his tenure as Leader of the Opposition, previously opposed the Bidadi Township project on grounds of protecting farmers' interests. The current situation has sparked a debate on the evolving political landscape in Karnataka, particularly concerning the handling of land resources and the role of real estate in state governance.