Shivakumar calls Kumaraswamy’s NICE project allegations ‘pack of lies’

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday dismissed Union minister H D Kumaraswamy’s allegations of large-scale irregularities in the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP) as a “pack of lies”, saying his assets had been acquired legally and duly declared.

Shivakumar questioned why Kumaraswamy, who had previously served as Karnataka chief minister, had remained silent about the project for years. His response came after Kumaraswamy demanded his resignation and levelled allegations linking the Congress leader’s wealth to the infrastructure project.

‘Desperate’ attack

“Poor man, he is desperate as he is under pressure from the BJP,” Shivakumar told reporters in Delhi. He also pointed to the role of Kumaraswamy’s father and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda in the project’s early history.

Kumaraswamy had earlier alleged that Shivakumar, during his tenure as Urban Development minister, approved deviations relating to the BMICP without obtaining Cabinet approval. Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Ltd (NICE) was responsible for implementing the project.

Shivakumar also alleged that Kumaraswamy was frustrated by differences within the BJP-JD(S) alliance and “one-upmanship” between the allies.

Assets declared

Rejecting questions over his wealth, Shivakumar said his assets were currently valued at around Rs 1,400 crore and maintained that they had been acquired within the law.

“As a farmer’s son and a businessman, shouldn’t I own assets? Shouldn’t my children be able to purchase property? I have built my wealth within the scope of the law. Let them provide the information to the Income Tax Department,” Shivakumar said.

“Is Kumaraswamy an Income Tax officer?” he asked, while questioning allegations about his assets and investments.

Responding to an allegation that a Rs 5 crore investment in Sobha Developers had grown to Rs 2,000 crore, Shivakumar said appreciation in investments did not establish wrongdoing.

“Yes, we can generate any amount of wealth. Did I take a bribe? Was I involved in any scandal? None of that happened, did it? I haven’t acquired anything through theft. I have already declared my assets,” he said.

Property value

Shivakumar cited a plot allotted to him during former chief minister S Bangarappa’s tenure as an example of property appreciation. He said he had paid Rs 99,000 for the plot and claimed it was now valued at around Rs 20 crore.

“The value of my property has appreciated, and I have declared it. What is wrong with that? I own hundreds of such properties,” he said.

Shivakumar also questioned whether those linked to Kumaraswamy owned assets falling within the BMICP and NICE Road projects and asked how their properties came within the scope of the Bidadi Township project.

He further alleged that Kumaraswamy had facilitated the award of a tender to an individual named Gandhi and claimed that several transactions had taken place under benami names. These were allegations made by Shivakumar in response to Kumaraswamy’s charges.

Debate challenge

Responding to Kumaraswamy’s challenge for a debate on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said the Union minister could debate the matter inside the legislature if he returned as a member.

“If he has the courage, let him get someone to resign their Council or Assembly membership, and then come inside the Assembly to debate. Instead, there is Freedom Park; let him go there and hold the debate,” he said.

Responding to Kumaraswamy’s assertion that he had not supported the implementation of the NICE project, Shivakumar questioned what the JD(S) leader had done when he was in power in 2007.

“He was in power in 2007, wasn’t he? It was he who awarded the project to Nikhil Gandhi through an auction. Why couldn’t he get it done?” Shivakumar said.

Political war escalates

Shivakumar also dismissed Kumaraswamy’s suggestion that Tuesday’s allegations represented only “Part 1” of a series of disclosures.

“Part 1, 2, 3, 4, sting operations, artificial intelligence, I am aware of everything they have,” he said, adding that he was not afraid of such threats.

“D K Shivakumar is not afraid of such empty threats. I have seen plenty of this kind of theatrics, drama, philosophy and blackmail,” he said.

Asked whether the dispute would reach a logical conclusion, Shivakumar said he did not intend to level further allegations against Kumaraswamy and was merely responding to the charges made against him.