Govt withdraws entire land acquisition process in Devanahalli: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: In a major announcement amid ongoing farmer protests, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday declared that the government has decided to completely withdraw the land acquisition process in Devanahalli taluk’s Channarayapatna and surrounding villages.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with government officials and farmer representatives at Vidhana Soudha, followed by a press conference, Siddaramaiah clarified: “The government has decided to completely abandon the land acquisition process. However, some farmers have voluntarily expressed willingness to part with their land. The government will acquire only such land and provide them higher compensation and developed plots in return.”
Siddaramaiah added that willing landowners will be offered compensation higher than the standard guideline value, and those wishing to continue agricultural activities can do so without interference. He emphasised the strategic location of Devanahalli near Bengaluru and the airport, noting the importance of industrial development for increasing incomes across the state.
“For economic development, we need land to establish industries. It is the government’s duty to facilitate this while also respecting the rights of landowners,” he said.
The CM reiterated that no other land in the region will be acquired without farmers’ consent, and praised the democratic protests that led to this decision.
“Such large-scale protests against land acquisition have not been seen before. The land is fertile and crucial for farmers. We have listened to them,” he said.
Notably, the proposed acquisition of 1,777 acres in Devanahalli was intended for a major aerospace park. Siddaramaiah acknowledged the project but stated the government is willing to let it go elsewhere if it means protecting farmers’ rights.
“Even if the industry relocates, the government will stand with farmers,” he affirmed.
Actor and activist Prakash Raj, present at the event, lauded the CM’s stance: “Siddaramaiah has shown that social justice is not just in words but in action.”
Ministers M.B. Patil, K.H. Muniyappa, H.K. Patil, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, Byrathi Suresh, CM’s political secretary Naseer Ahmed, legal advisor Ponnanna, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty, and several farmer representatives were present at the meeting.
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If you have a conscience, apologize to the people: R Ashoka slams Yathindra over Nalwadi comparison
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka launched a scathing attack on MLC Dr. Yathindra, demanding that he retract his controversial statement comparing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the late Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Ashoka urged Yathindra to apologize to the people of Karnataka if he had even a shred of conscience and any respect for the Mysuru royal lineage.
In a strongly worded social media post on Sunday, Ashoka stated, “Comparing Siddaramaiah to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is nothing short of absurd. Where is Nalwadi, who was bestowed the title of ‘Rajarshi’ by Mahatma Gandhi himself, and where is Siddaramaiah, who has stooped to being a puppet in the hands of fake Gandhis for the sake of power?”
He continued his critique by contrasting the enduring legacy of Nalwadi, remembered fondly by Kannadigas for his people-centric development, with what he termed as Siddaramaiah’s failure to manage Karnataka’s economy, burdening every household with debt.
Ashoka highlighted several stark differences, while Nalwadi built Mysore University over a century ago, Siddaramaiah is shutting down nine universities due to lack of funds. Nalwadi famously sold his family’s gold to build the KRS dam, whereas Siddaramaiah is accused of grabbing 14 sites meant for the public. Nalwadi established Bhadravati Iron & Steel Plant, Sandalwood Soap Factory, and Mysore Paper Mills. In contrast, Ashoka claimed Siddaramaiah's governance drove away industries, investors, and entrepreneurs. Nalwadi pioneered reservations for the backward classes long before it became mainstream. Siddaramaiah, Ashoka alleged, is reducing social justice to a gimmick by sticking labels on doors in the name of surveys.
While acknowledging Yathindra’s emotional attachment to his father, Ashoka emphasized that comparing Siddaramaiah to a visionary like Nalwadi was “laughable, baseless, and a gross insult” to the late king.
In his concluding remarks, Ashoka slammed the government for ignoring farmers’ needs despite an early monsoon. He accused the administration of being caught up in internal power struggles and negligence, forcing farmers into despair. “This government will not be spared from the curse of the farmers,” he warned.
