Karnataka BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra has opposed the proposed Kanakapura site for Bengaluru's second international airport [1].
The dispute centers on regional development and political influence, as the proposed site falls within the constituency of Chief Minister DK Shivakumar [2].
Vijayendra wrote to the Chief Minister to express the party's opposition to the Kanakapura location [1]. He said Tumakuru district is a viable alternative for the new aviation hub [2].
According to Vijayendra, the decision regarding the airport location will significantly shape the future of regional development across the state [1]. He said the government should decide the site after conducting wider consultations with legislators from across Karnataka [2].
The BJP argues that a more inclusive selection process would ensure the airport serves the broader interests of the state, rather than a specific political stronghold [1]. Tumakuru is presented as a strategic alternative to balance growth away from the immediate Bengaluru periphery [2].
“Karnataka BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra has opposed the proposed Kanakapura site for Bengaluru's second international airport”
This conflict highlights the intersection of infrastructure planning and political rivalry in Karnataka. By challenging a project located in the Chief Minister's own constituency, the BJP is framing the issue as one of regional equity and transparency, attempting to pivot the economic benefits of a second international airport toward Tumakuru.
