Bengaluru, Jul 16 (PTI) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, on Wednesday said the BJP would not allow the proposed GBIT project near Bidadi in Bengaluru South district to proceed, and would raise the issue during the upcoming legislature session.
Warning the police against “targetting” protesters, he said the BJP would lay siege to police stations if the farmers are harassed.
Ashoka was speaking to reporters after visiting farmers in Bidadi, Byramangala and Mandalahalli villages.
“Congress is politicizing the farmers’ issue, cases against farmers should be withdrawn. BJP supports farmers’ fight, we are with you. I will raise the issue in the Assembly, Leader of Opposition in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy will raise it in the Council. This will be the first issue we raise. We will not allow the session to happen,” he said.
The project will not be allowed to proceed under any circumstances, he added.
Despite opposition from farmers the government has issued final notifications for land acquisition to the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project, which is projected as India’s “first AI-powered integrated township”.
First set of final notifications was issued last month for the acquisition of 499 acres across three villages in Ramanagara and Harohalli taluks.
The second phase of final notifications for land acquisition in four villages — for about 775 acres in Bannigiri, 1,460 acres in Aralalasandra, 315 acres in K.G. Gollarapalya, and 2,390 acres in Hosur of Ramanagara taluk — were issued on Wednesday.
The project is expected to cover a total of 7,481 acres across nine villages in the region, and more notifications are expected in the coming days.
Farmers have continued to protest against the project. On Monday, broom-wielding women in Mandalahalli chased Joint Measurement Committee (JMC) survey officials, prompting the police to register criminal cases against them.
With a section holding demonstrations in favour of the project, there have been instances of a face-off between pro and anti-project farmers.
Hitting out at the government for registering criminal cases against farmers, Ashoka said, “These farmers were only fighting to protect their ancestral lands, they did not attempt to kill anyone. When people are forced to defend land that has belonged to their families for generations, resistance is only natural.” He said the BJP fully respected the judiciary and would also continue its legal battle against the project.
According to him, 20,000 acres of land around Bengaluru has been identified for acquisition for various projects and this is being done with an eye on upcoming polls in three states including Uttar Pradesh and Goa.
“Shivakumar was made the CM (by Congress high command) after he agreed to take care of election funding in three states from these lands,” he claimed.
Rejecting claims that the land is barren, the LoP said the BJP leaders would conduct a ‘Gram Vasthavya’ (village stay) programme in the affected villages.
“We will stay in these villages and show the entire state how people here are living. This will send a clear message to both the government, officials and the people,” he said.
He also announced that BJP MLAs, former legislators and party workers would stage a protest at Freedom Park on Friday in support of the farmers. PTI KSU ROH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.