Shivakumar Hits Back at Kumaraswamy, Says ‘Jail Is Not New for Me’ Amid Bidadi Township Row

Bengaluru, July 2026 : Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda amid the political storm over the proposed Bidadi Township Project, asserting that repeated attempts to target him politically had only strengthened his resolve.

Addressing a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said he was unfazed by repeated predictions from his political rivals that he would land in jail, remarking that imprisonment was “not new” to him and accusing the Janata Dal (Secular) leadership of trying to prevent his political rise.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come against the backdrop of an intensifying political contest between the Congress and the JD(S), particularly within the influential Vokkaliga community of south Karnataka. Shivakumar, Kumaraswamy and Deve Gowda all belong to the Vokkaliga community, making the battle for its support a significant factor in the state’s political landscape.

Launching a direct attack on Kumaraswamy, Shivakumar said some leaders had failed to accept his emergence as Chief Minister.

“Some people have not been able to digest the fact that I have become Chief Minister. They cannot tolerate the development taking place in Karnataka or the affection and support people have shown me,” he said.

Referring to Kumaraswamy’s repeated statements that he would eventually be jailed, Shivakumar responded with a sharp retort.

“Kumaraswamy has said many times that I will go to jail one day. I wish him good luck. Jail is not new for me. He himself came and met me there respectfully. If you still want to send me back to jail, continue your efforts,” the Chief Minister said.

Shivakumar also recalled his earlier legal battles, saying he had emerged stronger after facing imprisonment and court proceedings.

“After coming out of jail, I became the Chief Minister. The Supreme Court dismissed those cases. I know very well what your agenda is. It is to ensure that no leader grows politically,” he alleged.

Turning his attention to former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Shivakumar appealed for restraint over protests against the proposed Bidadi Township Project, particularly by senior citizens and women.

“I do not want elderly people standing near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue and protesting. I don’t want mothers to beat government officials with brooms. If I have committed any wrong or destroyed anyone’s livelihood, I am ready to face criticism,” he said.

The Chief Minister defended the government’s approach to land acquisition, pointing out that successive governments in Karnataka had acquired land for major infrastructure and public development projects, including airports, irrigation schemes and urban expansion.

He cited examples of farmers who had surrendered land around Bengaluru during the tenures of former Chief Ministers S.M. Krishna and M. Veerappa Moily, noting that although compensation at the time appeared modest, the value of those lands had increased exponentially over the years.

Shivakumar maintained that the controversy surrounding the Bidadi Township Project was being fuelled by political misinformation.

The BJP and JD(S) have accused the Congress government of attempting to forcibly acquire fertile agricultural land for the proposed township. However, the state government has consistently denied the allegations, insisting that no compulsory land acquisition will take place.

Seeking to allay the concerns of farmers, Shivakumar clarified that the Bidadi Township was neither his personal “dream project” nor an initiative conceived by him.

He accused opposition parties of deliberately misleading farmers for political gain and attempting to create unnecessary fear among landowners.

Reiterating the government’s stand, the Chief Minister categorically ruled out any forcible acquisition of land for the township project. He also announced that the government would soon constitute an expert committee to examine the proposal, consult stakeholders and recommend the best course of action.

With political temperatures rising over the project, Shivakumar’s strong rebuttal signals that the Congress government is preparing for an extended confrontation with the BJP and JD(S), both inside the Assembly and among voters in southern Karnataka, where the issue has assumed considerable political significance.