The cautious position adopted by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president B.K. Hariprasad and Home Minister Priyank Kharge on the proposed acquisition of agricultural land for the Bidadi Township Project, coupled with suggestions that the project may be shelved if farmers refuse to part with their holdings, is expected to strengthen the resolve of protesting farmers and provide fresh ammunition to the BJP-JD(S) alliance.

The KPCC chief, while not opposing development per se, has expressed sympathy for farmers’ concerns and suggested that the government should not proceed with the project if it causes large-scale distress among landowners.

He has advocated wider consultations and greater sensitivity towards the agitation.

While Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has emphasised urban expansion and investment opportunities, Mr. Hariprasad appears to be looking at the potential political fallout among farmers and rural communities.

Mr. Hariprasad said the government would be prepared to drop the project if farmers were unwilling to part with their land. He pointed out that the project was originally conceived during the previous government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy. Stressing that farmers’ consent was crucial, he noted that compensation would be paid at three times the market value under the land acquisition law enacted during the UPA government. Mr. Hariprasad appears keen to ensure that the party does not face a political backlash similar to land acquisition agitations witnessed elsewhere in the country.

Referring to the government’s “Go Beyond Bengaluru” policy aimed at promoting balanced regional development, Mr. Kharge indicated that the township project could be shifted to another part of the State if farmers in the proposed acquisition area remained unwilling to surrender their land. “Whatever happens must happen according to the law,” he said. “Just like industries move out, the township project too can be relocated to another part of the State,” he said.

Highlighting the apparent differences between him and Mr. Shivakumar, a BJP functionary recalled Mr. Hariprasad’s earlier remark that “those who seek power and positions go with Mr. Shivakumar, while those who want to strengthen the party join hands with me.”

The controversy has the potential to evolve from a straightforward government-versus-Opposition confrontation into a wider debate within the Congress itself over how large-scale land acquisition projects should be pursued.