Viral Land Deal Video Puts Yelburga MLA Under Spotlight Amid Land Acquisition Row

A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka’s Yelburga Assembly constituency after videos allegedly showing a close associate of Congress MLA Basavaraj Rayareddy discussing land deals with farmers surfaced on social media. The clips have triggered public debate as they appear to contradict the MLA’s repeated stand against land acquisition for a proposed power project.

The controversy revolves around plans to acquire land for a 770 megawatt power generation project along with related electricity infrastructure in parts of Koppal district. While the MLA has publicly urged farmers not to part with their land, the viral videos allegedly show his associate S R Navali Hiremath holding meetings with landowners and discussing possible compensation amounts.

According to the videos circulating online, the discussions include negotiations over the price of agricultural land. Farmers are reportedly heard seeking Rs 40 lakh per acre, while the individual in the video suggests that the final settlement could be between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 32 lakh per acre. The recordings also reportedly include references to senior government officials who would be involved in reviewing documents once landowners agree to the proposal.

The emergence of the videos has led to questions from local residents and political observers. Many have questioned whether the negotiations were being carried out independently or whether they had any connection with the larger land acquisition process. The incident has fueled speculation and increased scrutiny of the ongoing project.

Soon after the videos gained widespread attention, Basavaraj Rayareddy moved quickly to distance himself from the controversy. The legislator formally appealed to district authorities and senior officials to suspend the land acquisition process linked to the proposed power project, reiterating his opposition to acquiring large stretches of farmland.

The MLA sent official letters to the Koppal Deputy Commissioner as well as the Managing Directors of KPCL and KPTCL. In his communication, he requested that the proposed 770 megawatt power plant be shifted to another location instead of being established in Yelburga or Kukanoor taluks.

Rayareddy argued that the region is already economically disadvantaged and that acquiring nearly 180 acres of farmland would have a serious impact on local livelihoods. He maintained that while acquiring a small extent of land may not create significant hardship, taking away such a large area could leave many farming families without their primary source of income.

The legislator also suggested that if the project is essential, the government should explore the possibility of using available government land instead of acquiring fertile agricultural property. He said protecting farmers’ interests should remain the priority while planning major infrastructure projects.

The issue has now become a major political talking point in the region. With the viral videos continuing to circulate and the MLA’s official objections now on record, attention has shifted to how the authorities will respond to the land acquisition dispute. The developments have also intensified demands for greater transparency in negotiations involving large public projects and private landowners.