BJP Opposes Bidadi GBIT Project, Backs Farmers’ Fight Against Land Acquisition

The BJP has intensified its opposition to the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project near Bidadi , with Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashoka stating that the party will strongly oppose the project and raise the issue during the upcoming legislature session.

After visiting farmers in Bidadi, Byramangala and Mandalahalli villages , Ashoka accused the Congress government of ignoring farmers’ concerns and said the BJP would make the GBIT issue its first priority in both the Assembly and Legislative Council. He warned that the project would not be allowed to move forward and said the party would continue its legal and political fight.

The opposition comes amid protests by farmers against the government’s land acquisition process for the township, which has been promoted as India’s first AI-powered integrated township . The project is expected to cover 7,481 acres across nine villages in the region.

The Karnataka government has issued final notifications for land acquisition in phases. The first phase involved 499 acres across three villages , while the second phase covered large areas in villages including Bannigiri, Aralalasandra, K.G. Gollarapalya and Hosur .

Farmers opposing the project have expressed concerns over the loss of ancestral agricultural lands and livelihoods . Protests intensified after women in Mandalahalli reportedly confronted Joint Measurement Committee officials during a land survey, following which police cases were registered against some protesters.

Defending the farmers, Ashoka demanded the withdrawal of cases and said villagers were only protecting land that had been in their families for generations. He accused the government of targeting protesters instead of addressing their concerns.

The BJP leader also rejected claims that the acquired land was barren and announced a ‘Gram Vasthavya’ programme , under which BJP leaders and workers would stay in affected villages to highlight the farmers’ issues. The party has also announced a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru , where BJP legislators, former lawmakers and workers will demonstrate in support of farmers. The GBIT project dispute is expected to become a major political flashpoint in the upcoming Karnataka legislature session.