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The standoff remains unresolved as both leaders dig in their heels, leaving the fate of the Bidadi farmers hanging in the balance of this high-stakes political rivalry
HD Kumaraswamy (left) and DK Shivakumar (right) are engaged in a war of words over the Bidadi township. (News18)
The political landscape of Ramanagara turned into a verbal battlefield this weekend as Union minister HD Kumaraswamy and Karnataka’s deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar engaged in a high-decibel row over the controversial Bidadi township project.
Speaking at a protest site in Bidadi where farmers have launched an indefinite strike, Kumaraswamy took an aggressive stance against the state government’s land acquisition plans. “I will not allow the acquisition of even an inch of fertile agricultural land,” the Union minister declared as local women pleaded for his intervention. He challenged the Congress administration by stating: “The burden of saving this land for my sisters is mine; let us see how they manage to take it away.”
In a swift and sharp rebuttal from Kanakapura, Shivakumar dismissed the criticism as mere political theater and issued a direct challenge for a public face-off. “I am ready for a debate with Kumaraswamy on the Bidadi township; let the media decide the date,” he told reporters. The deputy chief minister was quick to point out that the project was not his own creation but a legacy of his rival’s previous administration. “It was not me who started this project, it was started by him,” he remarked, adding that he is simply fulfilling the promises made to farmers for developed plots. He urged the media to facilitate the encounter, noting: “Inform me three days before so that I can block my calendar.”
The debate grew increasingly personal as Kumaraswamy questioned the ethical consistency of the government’s compensation packages, comparing the rates offered to farmers with those of private entities. “You say you will give farmers only two point four five crore rupees per acre, yet you fixed a fine of thirteen crore rupees per acre for Eagleton resort’s land—what kind of justice is this?” Kumaraswamy questioned. He further alleged that the local administration had become a puppet of the ruling party, claiming that the Ramanagara deputy commissioner “does not even pick up my calls anymore”. He warned government officials that they would not escape accountability for “betraying the people” even after their retirement.
In response to the accusations of high-handedness, Shivakumar maintained that the project is designed for the long-term prosperity of the region and will be a testament to their governance.
“Neither Kumaraswamy nor I are permanent here, but our decisions will be permanent,” he stated, emphasising that future generations would benefit from the infrastructure being laid today. While HDK warned that the people would “teach the government a lesson” by 2028, Shivakumar remained focused on his local developmental record, including the construction of numerous temples and social infrastructure. The standoff remains unresolved as both leaders dig in their heels, leaving the fate of the Bidadi farmers hanging in the balance of this high-stakes political rivalry.
Bidadi, India, India
January 26, 2026, 10:07 IST
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