Central Minister Challenges CM on Land Acquisition for Proposed Township

During a media interaction on Thursday, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi took a firm stance against Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivkumar's handling of the contentious Bidadi township project.

Joshi highlighted that the state's approach of forcibly taking farmers' land contradicts democratic principles. He asked the CM directly, "Why was the notification released before reaching out to the farming community?" He noted that multiple suggestions from locals were dismissed, raising doubts about the project's legitimacy.

The minister also reminded Shivkumar that a chief minister's authority does not grant the power to act like a monarch. "If you are found guilty of any wrongdoing or corruption, the legal system will intervene, irrespective of your position," Joshi said.

He concluded by demanding that the chief minister respond to the corruption accusations made by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and present a clear roadmap for addressing the farmers' concerns.