Urging the State government to drop the Bidadi township project, Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday said the government was getting into real estate development despite farmers opposing land acquisition for the project.

“Who are they (the government) to snatch the land away from farmers? The government is acting like a broker in the project and conducting real estate business per square foot. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has emerged as the broker. My advice to you (Mr. Siddaramaiah) is that you do not become a broker at the behest of dealers,” the Union Minister said during a press conference here. The government is into real estate by taking away fertile land in eight villages, and is acting at the behest of the businessmen, he added.

Incidentally, the Bidadi township was first announced during the 20-month regime of Mr. Kumaraswamy during his first term as the Chief Minister in 2006-2007.

Challenging the government to acquire land from protesting farmers, he said, “The question of providing land for the project does not arise. Farmers are not willing to part with their land. We will see how the government will acquire land.” He also accused the Bengaluru South district deputy commissioner of dancing to the tune of the real estate business.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said the decision in the Cabinet was taken recklessly, and that the Chief Minister was willing to sign anything to retain his post. “The government is saying the project will yield ₹33,000 crores. Is this a real estate deal? The government is also saying that there are no farmers in these villages.” Acknowledging that he had announced five townships to decongest Bengaluru, he said: “The Congress had opposed it then. A fact-finding committee report was submitted by H.K. Patil. What happened to the report? Has it gone to the dustbin? If it is available, make the report public.”