Can’t accept DKS as CM, opposition targeting Bidadi project: MLA

HC Balakrishna, Magadi MLA. | Photo credit: File photo

BJP and JD (S) leaders are opposing the Bidadi Township Project purely on political grounds as they are unable to tolerate DK Shivakumar becoming Chief Minister, said HC Balakrishna, Magadi MLA.

On the road for a long time

“The land acquisition process was going on even when Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister and some farmers were against it. Why didn’t HD Kumaraswamy and R. Ashoka come forward at that time to fight for these farmers?” questioned the MLA, speaking to presspersons in Bidadi on Wednesday (June 17).

Leaders from “our community” (referring to Vokkaliga) in other parties are unable to accept Mr. Shivakumar as Chief Minister, he claimed. “They expected the Congress to be destroyed by internal conflicts. They believed that Mr. Siddaramaiah would never give up power and that Mr. Shivakumar would never become the Chief Minister. They are unable to digest the fact that Mr. Siddaramaiah has handed over power,” he said.

Mr. Balakrishna pointed out that the project was not initiated by Mr. Shivakumar but by Mr. Kumaraswamy in 2006. “After our government came to power, farmers submitted petitions demanding either removal of red zone classification or compensation. It was in response to these demands that this project was revived,” he said.

“he didn’t care anymore”

Mr. Balakrishna claimed that most of the land in Bidadi “is no longer agricultural” but has already been converted into real estate. “If Mr. Kumaraswamy had not declared it a red zone, it would have all fallen into the hands of the real estate mafia. Land conversion was not possible due to red zone classification and these areas remained agricultural land,” he said.

In the past, local farmers have challenged similar statements made by Mr. Balakrishna and invited him to their villages to join the debate.

Published – 17 Jun 2026 22:45 IST