Kumaraswamy backs Bidadi farmers, clarifies it's not fight against CM Shivakumar

Bengaluru, Jun 26 (PTI) JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Friday said he was supporting farmers in their struggle against the proposed GBIT project near Bidadi in Bengaluru South district and land acquisition for it, following request from them. He also asserted that his fight was not against Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

The Union Minister said he was visiting Byramangala near Bidadi on Saturday to meet and hear the grievances of farmers, and he also invited the CM to join him for discussions aimed at resolving the issue.

"I'm going (to Bidadi) to discuss with farmers. I have told him (CM) that he too can join, I have requested him. If he comes it is good. Things will be smooth. Since last night, 15-20 people have been staged in demonstrations stating that they are willing to give up their land. They are demonstrating against those opposing land acquisition," Kumaraswamy said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, he can understand the reasons and the background.

"My fight is not against Shivakumar, the Chief Minister of the state. Some farmers came and made a request to me seven or eight months ago, stating that the majority of farmers are not willing to give up their land. Based on their appeal, I have interfered in this fight. I'm in favour of farmers," he added.

Noting that he has no prestige attached to the matter, the union minister said if farmers agreed to hand over their land, he has no objection to the government going ahead with the project.

Pointing out that intimidating farmers won't work, he said things should be done with love and affection. "Why go ahead with it when there is strong opposition?" Kumaraswamy on Thursday wrote to Shivakumar, informing him of his June 27 visit to Byramangala to meet those who will be affected by the project. He also asked Shivakumar to visit the location with officials at the same time to discuss the issue and find a solution.

Earlier, Shivakumar on June 22 had invited Kumaraswamy to his office at Vidhana Soudha on June 26 for a discussion on the issue.

However, Kumaraswamy cited prior commitments and wrote back the same day, seeking to reschedule the meeting to June 27. He had also proposed organizing the discussion at a suitable venue in Bidadi or Byramangala instead of Vidhana Soudha, aiming to give affected farmers and villagers an opportunity to participate. The CM did not respond to this.

To a question on Magadi Congress MLA Balakrishna's statement that a law and order issue would arise if there were a debate regarding the project at Byramangala, Kumaraswamy said in that case, the farmers should be brought to Vidhana Soudha for discussion.

"When I was the CM in 2006-07, three meetings were held at home office Krishna with the opposing farmers. Open opportunities were given to farmers," he said.

Noting that he is with farmers in their legal fight against the project and would support them, the JD(S) leader said, he is going to Byramangala on Saturday to meet and support the protesting farmers, and he would wait for the CM till the afternoon to come there for discussion aimed at resolving the issue.

Denying any intention to create unrest in the region, he claimed the government might be attempting to create tension by imposing prohibitory orders there, citing demonstrations by project supporters opposite the protesting farmers.

He also questioned how many people the government has given the compensation so far. PTI