BENGALURU: Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra on Friday accused the Congress government of “forcibly seizing fertile farmland” in Bidadi in the name of the proposed Satellite Township to serve the “real estate interests of the High Command.“Speaking at a BJP protest in support of farmers from the Bidadi region, Vijayendra alleged that the state government, led by chief minister DK Shivakumar, was forcing farmers to give up their land.“The Congress government and chief minister DK Shivakumar are forcibly taking away farmers’ fertile lands in Bidadi. To fill the stomach of the High Command, they have turned to the real estate business,” he said.He also claimed that small farmers who depend on agriculture for their livelihood were being unfairly targeted through compulsory land acquisition.“Families with 4-5 acres are being pushed onto the streets. But there is no obstacle for Congress leaders and MLAs to own hundreds and thousands of acres in the same Bidadi region. This exposes their double standards,” he said.Vijayendra also alleged that the Chief Minister was focusing on projects such as the proposed Bidadi Township and Kanakapura Airport instead of addressing the concerns of farmers, particularly in North Karnataka.Referring to an alleged assurance made to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, he said, “He had said, ‘If you make me Chief Minister, I will build the Bidadi Township and provide an opportunity to DLF company.’ Now he is hitting farmers where it hurts the most.”The BJP leader further alleged that farmers opposing the land acquisition were being threatened.“Goons” were being sent to the homes of farmers who refuse to part with their land, with threats of “You will not survive,” he alleged.He also accused the government of taking contradictory positions on the issue.“On one hand, the CM says land will not be forcibly taken. On the other hand, the government is filing false cases against protesting farmers and sending them to jail. This is the arrogance of power,” he charged.Criticising the state government further, Vijayendra questioned its commitment to agriculture.“The CM has sidelined the Agriculture Department. It should be renamed the ‘Real Estate Congress Department’ if justice is to be done,” he said.He also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming he had remained silent despite earlier promises to protect farmers.“Rahul Gandhi is now completely silent on this huge atrocity against Karnataka farmers. He should immediately instruct his close confidant, the chief minister, to withdraw cases against farmers and drop the Bidadi Township project,” he demanded.Warning the government against proceeding with the project, Vijayendra said, “No government that has incurred the curse of farmers has survived in history.”He added that the BJP would continue its agitation until the proposed land acquisition was withdrawn.“The Bharatiya Janata Party will not rest until justice is delivered to Bidadi farmers. Under the leadership of farmer leader BS Yediyurappa, the entire BJP stands united. This fight will continue both inside and outside the legislature,” he asserted.The protest was attended by a large number of farmers and BJP workers from the Bidadi region, who raised slogans against the proposed land acquisition for the Satellite Township.
