Bengaluru, June 23 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Tuesday accused Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy of resorting to political criticism instead of offering constructive suggestions on the proposed Bidadi Township Project near Bengaluru.

Speaking to reporters near the residence of senior Congress leader and former minister H.K. Patil, Parameshwara said the state government had no intention of displacing farmers and was implementing the project only after addressing their concerns through dialogue and consensus.

He said the government was listening to grievances, building confidence among farmers, and would proceed only through consultation and consensus.

Parameshwara clarified that his visit to H.K. Patil’s residence was a courtesy call. He said he had not been keeping well for the past 10 days, and Patil had expressed a desire to meet him. Since he was out on Tuesday, he decided to visit the senior Congress leader personally.

“We had a cordial discussion. We spoke about strengthening the organisation in the future and about measures required to ensure that the government functions effectively in the public interest,” he said.

Responding to a question on whether the meeting represented a gathering of like-minded leaders, Parameshwara said he and Patil had shared a long political association and friendship dating back several decades.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the Bidadi Township Project, Parameshwara referred to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s invitation to Kumaraswamy for a discussion on the issue.

“The Chief Minister has written to Union Minister Kumaraswamy, inviting him to Vidhana Soudha on June 26 at 11 a.m. for a discussion with ministers and officials. He has also invited Kumaraswamy to bring along any experts or representatives he wishes,” Parameshwara said.

He noted that Kumaraswamy had responded by proposing that the discussion be held in Bidadi itself with the participation of farmers and other stakeholders and had requested that it be scheduled for June 27 instead of June 26 due to prior commitments.

“We have to wait and see what decision the Chief Minister takes regarding the request,” he said.

Parameshwara said the township project had already been discussed in the state Cabinet, including issues relating to funding through agencies such as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO).

However, he expressed concern that the project was increasingly taking a political turn.

“The government will collectively decide how best to implement the project while keeping it away from politics. Kumaraswamy is highlighting old statements made by Congress leaders and attempting to politicise the issue. Instead, he should offer constructive suggestions. We are ready to address his concerns and explain the rationale behind the project,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated that the government’s objective was not to force farmers off their land.

“We want to take farmers into confidence and proceed only with their consent. Some farmers have told us that they own dry land and are willing to part with it if they receive adequate compensation. If reasonable compensation is provided, they can purchase land elsewhere and continue farming. This is the approach we are adopting,” he said.

Parameshwara cautioned that the situation would become difficult if the issue were driven purely by political considerations.

Responding to a question on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders discussing the possibility of taking an oath at Dharmasthala over the recent cross-voting controversy in the Legislative Council elections, Parameshwara remarked, “Let us leave that matter to Lord Manjunatha.”

–IANS

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