India, June 23 -- JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Monday challenged Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to an open debate on the proposed GBIT project near Bidadi in Bengaluru South district, and the Government's land acquisition for it.

He asked the CM to come to Byramangala, where farmers have been protesting, whenever he was free.

Claiming that 80-90 per cent of local farmers remain opposed to the township project and that more than 4,000 farmers have filed objections since the Government issued its preliminary notification, the Union Minister criticised the administration for allegedly failing to respond to those objections and asked: "Is this what public service means?"

"A challenge was thrown for a debate (from Shivakumar). Com...