10 August 2026: Former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda has strongly condemned the government for stopping the Bidadi Township padayatra led by Nikhil Kumaraswamy.
He accused the state Congress government of being ready to commit a heinous act in the matter of Bidadi Township. Speaking to reporters in Haradanahalli, Holenarasipura taluk on Monday evening, he said; I will not talk about police officials. Chief Minister Bhoomi had stated on Sunday that no one is forced to give land. Then why was the padayatra stopped, he questioned. This is a mysterious question. Today, there are about 35-40 thousand vacant sites in the BDA area. There are no buyers for them. When this is the case, troubling those who believe in farming and making a living, and making them destitute, how fair is it? For whom are you making this township, he asked in anger. The struggle is not just for the farmers, but also for many backward small communities. Their stomachs should not be hit, he said; The government has put pressure on the police. I will go to Bengaluru tomorrow. I will get information from Nikhil Kumaraswamy and other leaders of our party. It has been decided to hold a meeting at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on August 18. I will discuss all the issues on that day, he fumed.
There is no question of backing down from this struggle. The state government should abandon this anti-farmer project. Many programs have been held at Freedom Park, I have also done it.
Whatever decision this government takes, we will see and then take a decision, said the former Prime Minister.
You were not the DC for three years, were you? Didn't you divide Bengaluru into five corporations? Former Prime Minister Siddaramaiah, who was the CM, was removed and this project was done in just one month, why are you doing it, former Prime Minister asked CM D.K. Shivakumar.
He alleged that they are rushing to implement this project in a hurry, as promised to the Delhi leaders; Whatever it is, we will continue this struggle in favor of the poor, he said.
