Political drama unfolded in Bairamangala on Saturday as Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy arrived in Bidadi for a discussion on the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project (Bidadi Township Project) and “waited” for Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Mr. Kumaraswamy had invited the Chief Minister for an “open discussion” on the street of the village, while the latter had invited the former to the Vidhana Soudha for a discussion instead.

After setting up a stage at Bairamangala Circle, where farmers have been protesting against the project for over 470 days, Mr. Kumaraswamy “waited” from afternoon till evening, with a nameboard of Mr. Shivakumar put up on the dais adding to the drama. Hundreds of farmers thronged the site.

Those in support

Meanwhile, farmers supporting the township project gathered at another location and welcomed Mr. Kumaraswamy with red flags, referring to his decision to designate farmlands across Bidadi as a “red zone.”

As the Union Minister was leaving the venue, supporters of the township project attempted to lay siege to his vehicle. However, the police brought the situation under control.

Addressing the protesting farmers, Mr. Kumaraswamy announced that he would fight a legal battle on their behalf if Mr. Shivakumar decided to implement the township project. He also hinted that he was prepared to bear all the legal expenses involved.

Claiming that he was not doing this for any political reasons, he said, “If such projects are taken up anywhere in the State, I will stand with the farmers and oppose them.”

Responding to allegations regarding the “red zone” classification, Mr. Kumaraswamy claimed that without such a designation, the farmlands would have fallen into the hands of the real estate mafia.

‘Fill potholes in city’

Mr. Kumaraswamy also hit back at Mr. Shivakumar’s statement that Bidadi would “become Bengaluru”, saying, “They are unable to fill potholes in Bengaluru city, yet they want to include Bidadi.”

Mr. Kumaraswamy also questioned the Chief Minister’s reluctance to visit the protest site despite claiming that 80% of the farmers were willing to part with their land. He asked how his presence could have caused any law-and-order problem if such a large majority of farmers were indeed in favour of the project.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president B.K. Hariprasad on Saturday said policy matters should be discussed in the Vidhana Soudha.

“If there has to be a discussion, it should take place in the Vidhana Soudha. That is the essence of parliamentary democracy,” he said.

He questioned why some leaders, who had sought public protests over the issue, had not participated when the government invited them for discussions. “One cannot decline an invitation for talks and later demand that the issue be debated on the streets,” he said.

Reiterating the government’s stand, he said policy decisions should be resolved through democratic institutions and structured consultations.

In official forum

Home Minister Priyank Kharge also said policy matters should be discussed through official forums rather than in public demonstrations.

“Whatever the issue, it is appropriate to deliberate on it through official platforms. Holding policy discussions on the streets is not in keeping with democratic conventions,” he said.