A raging political controversy has erupted in Karnataka over the Congress government’s decision to rename Ramanagara district as “Bengaluru South,” with opposition parties alleging that the move is part of a calculated ploy by the land mafia to inflate real estate prices and open the doors for rampant land conversion.
At the centre of the storm is Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who hails from the region and is being directly accused by former Chief Minister and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy of spearheading the renaming effort not for administrative efficiency but to serve real estate interests — many allegedly linked to his business empire.
“The entire exercise is a smokescreen to benefit vested interests. The man is a real estate businessman first and a politician next. By branding Ramanagara as Bengaluru South, he’s ensuring that thousands of acres of farmland skyrocket in value overnight, serving his and his associates’ land holdings,” Kumaraswamy charged during a press interaction in New Delhi.
Kumaraswamy, who was instrumental in carving Ramanagara out of Bengaluru Rural in 2007, said the district was created to preserve the identity and administrative needs of the region. “This land has produced legends like Kengal Hanumanthaiah. But that history means nothing to them. Had they renamed it after Kengal, it would have been a tribute. But that wouldn’t help land sharks the way ‘Bengaluru’ branding does,” he remarked.
Echoing his concerns, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje went a step further, calling the move a “pre-mediated operation by the land mafia under the Congress regime.” Addressing a public meeting in Sullia, she alleged that the government’s aim is to forcibly transform agricultural lands into real estate layouts under the garb of urban expansion. “This is not urban planning, this is urban plundering. Bengaluru’s name is being weaponised to steal farmlands,” she said.
Opposition leaders have accused the Congress of systematically working to dilute regional identities by exploiting Bengaluru’s global brand to artificially inflate land prices in surrounding districts. “It is a deliberate manipulation — change the name, get media attention, and watch real estate speculators rush in. This is land speculation with state backing,” a senior BJP leader told reporters off the record.
In response, Deputy CM Shivakumar has defended the renaming, insisting that the decision was made to accelerate growth and unlock economic potential for the region. “Yes, we want our youth to get jobs, our farmers to benefit from rising land values. Why shouldn’t they profit from development? If linking to Bengaluru brings in investment, what’s wrong with that?” he asked at a press conference.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah backed his deputy, saying the government had full authority to rename districts based on public demand. “We are not erasing Ramanagara’s legacy. It remains the district headquarters. This is about connecting the region to a larger growth narrative,” he said.
However, critics remain unconvinced. Political analysts suggest that the manner and timing of the decision — just ahead of major infrastructure announcements and investor summits — point to ulterior motives. They also warn that the move could pave the way for widespread land acquisition, displacement of rural communities, and irreversible damage to the agrarian ecosystem.
“This is not just about a name. It’s about power, profit, and the politics of land,” said an urban policy researcher. “The land mafia doesn’t wear masks. It operates through policies, notifications, and nomenclature.”
Kumaraswamy, in his closing remarks, warned that the decision could be reversed if a change of government occurs. “The name may be altered today, but it can also be changed tomorrow. People see what is happening, and they will respond accordingly,” he said.
As the state debates development versus identity, the renaming of Ramanagara has become a flashpoint in Karnataka’s politics — with accusations of a real estate-fueled conspiracy turning what seemed like an administrative act into a high-stakes political battle.
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