Kanakapura (Karnataka) [India], January 25 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday challenged Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy to a public debate on the proposed Bidadi township project, saying he is ready to face him at any time.
Speaking to reporters near the newly inaugurated Ram temple in Kanakapura, Shivakumar said he had accepted Kumaraswamy's challenge earlier when the JD(S) leader was Chief Minister, and was willing to debate the issue again now.
"I am ready for a debate with Kumaraswamy on Bidadi township. Let the media decide the date. I had accepted the challenge when he was the CM. I am inviting him for the debate even now," Shivakumar said.
Responding to Kumaraswamy's claim that he would not allow the Bidadi township project, Shivakumar accused him of playing politics over the issue. He said the project had been initiated during Kumaraswamy's tenure and alleged that JD (S) leader himself had promised farmers 800 square feet of land. He added that the present government was only continuing the project.
"He (Kumaraswamy) is doing politics. It is not me who started this project, it was started by him. He has admitted that he had promised 800 square feet of land to farmers. We are only continuing the project now," said Shivakumar.
Shivakumar said that while political leaders may come and go, their decisions would have a lasting impact and that the project would benefit future generations. He also said that in his constituency, roads had been widened and farmers were compensated at Rs 1,500 per square foot.
"Neither Kumarswamy nor I are permanent here, but our decisions will be permanent. It will greatly benefit the future generations and they will remember us. We have widened the roads in my constituency and we have given a compensation of Rs 1500 per square feet to them," said Shivakumar.
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