Bengaluru, June 22 (IANS) Responding to Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s invitation for an open debate on the controversial Bidadi Township Project proposed near Bengaluru, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday urged the Chief Minister to hold the meeting in the affected Bidadi region rather than at Vidhana Soudha.

In a letter addressed to Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy insisted that the discussion should include affected farmers, villagers, and other stakeholders.

He argued that a meeting held at Vidhana Soudha without their participation would serve little purpose.

“I have received your letter dated June 22, inviting five other representatives and me from my side for discussions on the project. I thank you for the invitation,” Kumaraswamy stated.

He said farmers from eight villages in Bidadi Hobli of Ramanagara taluk and one village in Harohalli taluk, along with residents and stakeholders, were facing uncertainty and hardship due to the proposed Bidadi Comprehensive Integrated Satellite Township Project.

“Besides affecting the livelihoods of local people, the project is likely to cause immeasurable damage to the environment in the region,” he said.

Against this backdrop, Kumaraswamy suggested that the proposed meeting be held either in the affected Bidadi region or at a public venue in Bhairamangala.

He added that if affected farmers, villagers, agricultural labourers, women engaged in dairy farming, small traders, industrialists, and other stakeholders were given an opportunity to participate in the discussions at these locations, it would help in finding a meaningful and practical solution.

Kumaraswamy clarified that he had no personal interest in the formulation or implementation of the project. “I would like to make it clear through this letter that I have no personal stake in this project,” he stated.

“Since I have a pre-scheduled programme on June 26, I request that the proposed meeting be held in Bidadi or Bhairamangala on June 27, as suggested above,” Kumaraswamy said.

It can be recalled that Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier responded to Kumaraswamy’s challenge for a public debate by inviting him for a formal discussion at his office in Vidhana Soudha on June 26 at 11 a.m.

Earlier, Kumaraswamy had challenged Shivakumar to a public debate on the township project, asserting that farmers were opposed to it.

Addressing a press conference, he said Shivakumar should come for a debate on whether farmers agreed with the project.

He added that women and senior citizens had been staging a dharna for the last 450 days and suggested they should also be heard.

Alleging that the project would not benefit the public, Kumaraswamy claimed that nothing would materialise from it except the filling of Shivakumar’s pockets. He also announced legal action against the project.

–IANS

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