Subscribe
Union Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday, September 29, accused Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and his family members of illegally acquiring land around Bengaluru that had been notified for the controversial Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP). Shivakumar has rejected the charges, calling Kumaraswamy "very, very desperate."
Holding a press conference in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy alleged that Shivakumar was instrumental in modifying the original framework agreement (FWA) of the BMIC project which was promoted by the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE).
Between 2002 and 2004, Shivakumar served as a minister in the SM Krishna government and was also the Chairman of the BMICP Authority (BMICPA). "That's where the deviations began," Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged, adding that Mr. Shivakumar oversaw an Outline Development Plan that "deviated substantially" from the original framework agreement.
The Union Minister released 26 Records of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (RTC) documents. They show that besides Shivakumar, his parents Gowramma and the late DK Kempegowda, daughter Abharana, and brother and former MP DK Suresh acquired land parcels in BM Kaval, near Kengeri, which the state government had notified for the project.
Kumaraswamy claimed the parcels were acquired after NICE gave no objection certificates (NOCs) to the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), stating the land was no longer required for the project.
"NICE has given 420 NOCs so far.... Shivakumar and his family have acquired 150 acres to 200 acres in the NICE project notified area. His wealth has grown from Rs 4 crore in 2003 to Rs 1,413 crore in 2023, mainly due to these deals," Kumaraswamy told presspersons.
He alleged that about 500 acres of notified land had been given away through NOCs, and pinpointed about 22 acres held by the Chief Minister and his family.
He alleged that Shivakumar became BMICPA Chairman by influencing then Chief Minister Krishna, and that both he and NICE promoter Ashok Kheny were involved.
"The Karnataka High Court has also termed the illegal land deals as a fraud on statute and Constitution, and state authorities to be accomplice in this fraud," he said. He also claimed "NICE is bigger than the 2G and coal scams."
Asked about Shivakumar's frequent claim that his allegations stem from "jealousy," Mr. Kumaraswamy said: "If the Chief Minister takes action on the fraud, I will felicitate him. If he does not have the ability to take action and stop the loot, let him resign."
He sought criminal action against Mr. Kheny, urging authorities to impound his passport and arrest him over the alleged fraud, which he estimated at Rs 3 lakh crore.
He said the JD(S) would try to mobilise farmers who have not been compensated for nearly 30 years, initiate legal action and seek an investigation through judicial intervention. "I am ready for an open discussion too," he added.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Shivakumar said Kumaraswamy could not "tolerate the Congress government's popularity." He dared the Union Minister to lodge a complaint with any agency, noting that the Election Commission, the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department had already scrutinised his wealth. "I have declared everything," he said, challenging Mr. Kumaraswamy to approach the IT department.
Responding to the wealth figures, Mr. Shivakumar said: "Shouldn't I own property? I am a farmer's son who has businesses. When there is an opportunity to earn legally, we do it. What's wrong with it?"
He said the rise in his assets was natural, recalling that a site he got in the 1990s during Bangarappa's tenure for Rs 1 lakh was now worth Rs 20 crore. He added that he owned "hundreds of properties" and had "every right to do business."
The Chief Minister alleged that Kumaraswamy's associates themselves owned land along the corridor. "Why have they bought land there?" he asked, likening his rival's conduct to "a cat drinking milk with its eyes closed."
