New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday rejected allegations levelled by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over his assets and the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (NICE) project, saying his properties had been acquired within the law.
Responding to Kumaraswamy’s allegations, Shivakumar said he was a farmer’s son as well as a businessman and questioned why he should not be allowed to own assets. He also asked whether Kumaraswamy had the authority to question his properties and said any concerns could be submitted to the Income Tax Department.
Kumaraswamy had alleged irregularities in the NICE project and questioned the growth in Shivakumar’s declared wealth, linking it to changes in the project’s land and development framework. These remain allegations made by the Union minister and have been rejected by Shivakumar.
Shivakumar questions Kumaraswamy’s claims
Shivakumar also questioned Kumaraswamy’s earlier role in the project and referred to decisions taken when his father, former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, and Kumaraswamy held office.
He alleged that transactions connected to the project had involved proxy or benami arrangements, while saying he would not name individuals in the manner Kumaraswamy had done.
The CM also dismissed suggestions that he could be intimidated by threats, blackmail, phone-tapping allegations or political pressure.
On the NICE Road toll issue, Shivakumar questioned why those who had held power earlier did not abolish toll collection and said he would not be deterred by what he described as threats.
Kumaraswamy has alleged that changes to the NICE project’s framework and land requirements caused significant losses to the state and benefited private interests. The allegations are part of a renewed political dispute over the long-running infrastructure project.
Shivakumar, meanwhile, attributed the criticism to political opposition to his government’s performance and said he would continue to face such attacks without being intimidated.
