Deve Gowda participates in JD(S) march against Bidadi project

Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Monday participated in the JD(S)’ padayatre (foot march), opposing the acquisition of agricultural land for the proposed GBIT project near Bidadi in Bengaluru South district, and asserted that he and his party wouldn’t back off if efforts continue to destroy the livelihood of farmers.

Supported by alliance partner BJP, the JD(S)’ march from Byramangala near Bidadi to Freedom Park in Bengaluru city, led by the party’s youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, entered its second day on Monday.

The three-day march was flagged off by JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy at Byramangala on Sunday, along with Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka. It is expected to cover a total distance of about 38 km, according to party sources.

The 93-year-old Gowda participated as the second day of the march began at BGS circle in Bidadi. The protesters raised slogans such as “Namma Bhoomi, Namma Hakku” (Our land, our right), accusing the government of promoting real estate interests and trying to suppress farmers by filing false cases against them. Addressing the gathering, Gowda asserted that he, along with his son Kumaraswamy, grandson Nikhil, and JD(S) leaders and legislators, would not let any injustice happen to farmers and the people.

“Today a chief minister, who belongs to the Vokkaliga community, falsely alleges that Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy and Nikhil cannot digest if any other Vokkaliga other than them becomes the CM. But I want to make it clear: whoever is the chief minister, if he does a good job, we will support them,” Gowda said.

Hitting out at Chief Minister D K Shivakumar for stating that he was only continuing with the GBIT project that Kumaraswamy initiated as CM in 2006, the former PM said, “Shivakumar, you rule the state for two years. We don’t have any objections. But why speak lies to destroy the livelihood of farmers?”

“By destroying the livelihood of the farmers, you are doing this project. For whose sake? Please tell the truth — for whose sake,” he asked.