Bidadi township: Will not let you destroy farmers livelihoods, Deve Gowda warns CM Shivakumar

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug 11, 2026: Former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Monday launched a strong attack on Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, accusing him of threatening the livelihood of farmers in the name of the proposed Bidadi township project.

“We have no objection to you (Shivakumar) ruling the state. But unless you stop this attempt to destroy the livelihood of farmers, this 93-year-old Deve Gowda will not step back. Nor will Kumaraswamy and Nikhil Kumaraswamy. Write it down — we will not allow you to construct buildings at the cost of farmers’ livelihoods,” Gowda said while participating in the JD(S) padayatra opposing the township project.

Questioning Shivakumar over the proposed project, Gowda asked him to clarify what he described as his “obsession” with the township.

“What promise have you made to the Congress high command in exchange for coming to power? For whose benefit are you executing this project? Shivakumar, please tell the people the truth,” he said.

Gowda reiterated his commitment to protecting farmers’ interests, saying that while his body may have grown old, his mind remained strong.

He also hit back at claims that he, former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and Nikhil Kumaraswamy were opposed to another Vokkaliga leader becoming chief minister.

“Today, the CM, who belongs to the Vokkaliga community, is falsely claiming that I, Kumaraswamy and Nikhil cannot accept another leader from the community occupying the top post. Let me make it clear — whoever the chief minister may be, we will support him if he is doing good work,” Gowda said.

Citing government data, Gowda said around 20,000 sites were lying unsold in the Bangalore Development Authority’s (BDA) inventory. He added that a large number of constructed houses were also lying vacant.

“The committee constituted by the government must compile data on this situation,” he said.

Urging farmers to continue their agitation and not surrender their land, Gowda called upon them to gather in large numbers at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on August 18.

“I will also join you at Freedom Park. I am even ready to go to jail. We will not give up our land and will continue our fight,” he said.