Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has accused Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar of being the ‘kingpin’ in the NICE project land scam, alleging he is attempting to take over the company through benami firms. He vowed to present documentary evidence.
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday levelled serious allegations against Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, claiming the CM was himself out to “take over the NICE company through benami companies”.
“As per the information I have, this Chief Minister himself is trying to take over the NICE company through benami companies. Is there one law for farmers and another law for the Chief Minister in this state? A conspiracy has been hatched to loot thousands of acres of land in the name of the BMIC project. I am not making empty speeches sitting here. I will tell you with documents next week,” Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to youth and students at the JDS central office, Kumaraswamy alleged that the present Chief Minister of the state is directly involved in the NICE irregularities. “This Chief Minister himself is the kingpin of the biggest land loot in the country,” he alleged.
He also asked DK Shivakumar to tell the truth to the people of Karnataka about the takeover of the NICE Company. “Sitting on the third floor of Vidhana Soudha, this Chief Minister has got into direct dealings. Let Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have the guts to tell the people who is taking over the NICE company. Who is acquiring the project? I have information about who all have entered into this deal through benami companies. Let this Chief Minister speak with his hand on his heart. Let him speak the truth before the people of the state,” Kumaraswamy directly challenged.
‘Biggest Land Scam in the Entire Country’
Calling upon the youth and students, Kumaraswamy said the NICE project is the biggest land scam in the entire country. “It is like a ‘Scam for Scheme’. The entire state must revolt against this irregularity. Youth and students must question this,” he said, adding, “What is the connection between this Chief Minister and the NICE project? What is the agreement between the CM and NICE? What are this person’s relations and business dealings with the owners of this company? If he has the courage, let him talk about this before the people. I am not afraid to speak the truth.”
He accused the state government of remaining silent on the NICE road irregularities. The Framework Agreement has been completely violated. This government is directly colluding with the NICE company, he alleged.
“It has been 20 years since farmers’ lands were acquired. Compensation has not yet been paid to farmers. But the land snatched from farmers has been sold at will. As per the agreement, NICE was supposed to build 111 km of road, but has built only 5 km. Even after blatantly violating all aspects of the Framework Agreement, for many years the NICE company has been illegally extorting money from motorists at its toll plazas,” the Union Minister alleged.
He referred to the High Court’s opinion on the project and said the government should have already taken action against NICE. “It is because of all these irregularities that the High Court has recorded its opinion in strong words about the NICE project. The government should have already taken action against NICE considering the court’s opinion. Tragically, the Chief Minister of the state himself is directly colluding with the NICE company,” he alleged.
‘Government Itself is Supporting Toll Collection’
He also added that the government itself is supporting toll collection, urging youth to not sit silently and watch. “Despite so much public opposition and outrage, toll collection on NICE roads is not stopping. This government itself is supporting the toll collection. The money extorted there is being shared among all of them. The work of sucking the blood of poor motorists is going on. The youth of the state should not sit silently watching this irregularity,” Kumaraswamy said.
He further alleged that the NICE scam is the biggest land scam in the history of the nation. “As far as I know, the NICE scam is the biggest land scam in the history of the nation. The court too has opined that it looks like a scam. The misdeed of politicians in power themselves being involved, misusing officials and giving wrong information to the courts and getting the government reprimanded has happened. This is a Scheme for a scam project. We cannot remain silent watching all this,” Kumaraswamy thundered.
A Call for Peaceful Protest
He said all must unite and fight against this irregularity, and his aim is to hold a peaceful protest. “Fight does not mean all of us should go and barge into toll plazas. If I had to do that, I would have made people barge into NICE toll centres long ago. Our aim is to hold a peaceful protest. The office you are sitting in is named JP Bhavan. Our party stands on the inspiration and ideals of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, the great leader who organised the entire nation and fought against the Emergency imposed on this nation by Indira Gandhi. So our fight must be on the path of peace,” he told the youth and students.
Calling the toll collection itself a great irregularity, Kumaraswamy said if it is investigated, a huge scam will come out. “The NICE scam is a glaring example of what a notorious scam can be created if organised, involving the government and misusing officials,” he stressed.
He further urged the youth to inform every house about NICE irregularities. “Not just the people of Bengaluru, but people of all parts of the state are suffering due to NICE irregularities. The youth community should inform every house about NICE irregularities. A fight should be held in every street. Awareness should be created not to pay the toll,” he called upon.
New Allegations Against State Government
Kumaraswamy alleged that this state government, which is notifying land everywhere to fill the pockets of real estate mafia, is now conspiring to swallow Bengaluru’s parks in the name of development. “This evil government has set out to destroy Bengaluru’s spacious parks and playgrounds. It has conspired to loot 5% of the parks’ area in the name of public purpose. While JDS and BJP were protesting at Vidhana Soudha demanding Minister Nagendra’s resignation, this government has passed a bill for that. Through this, it has set out to destroy Bengaluru’s lung space. Along with that, they say Rs 25,000 per year must be paid even if a car is parked in front of the house! This bankrupt government has put its hand into people’s pockets,” Kumaraswamy expressed outrage.
‘I Will Retire From Politics’
He also challenged the government and said that he would retire from politics if any benami property is found in his name. “I have noticed someone saying Kumaraswamy has benami properties. Let them show if I have any benami property. I am throwing a direct challenge to this government. If there is any such property, I will retire from politics,” he challenged. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)