JD-S delegation meets K’taka Guv over NICE project
Bengaluru: A Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] delegation on Tuesday submitted a complaint to Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking action against alleged irregularities and violations by NICE in the Bangalore–Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP).
The delegation, led by JD(S) Legislature Party leader C. B. Suresh Babu and comprising JD(S) legislators and party youth wing state president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, met the Governor at Raj Bhavan and submitted a five‑page representation along with a copy of a recent High Court judgment.
In its representation, the JD(S) put forward seven demands, including immediate stoppage of unauthorised toll collection, recovery of 554 acres of land from NICE, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and forensic audit, enactment of special legislation to enable government takeover of the project, compensation to farmers, criminal action against officials allegedly involved, and restoration of lake and tank lands to public ownership.
The delegation alleged that land had been acquired without compensation for nearly two decades, violating Article 300A of the Constitution. It further claimed that NICE had sold project‑related land to private developers through joint development agreements. It also claimed that the lake and tank lands had been allotted in violation of Supreme Court principles.
According to the representation, despite the proposed 111‑km corridor, only around five km had been constructed in 25 years, while a land bank of more than 20,000 acres was retained.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Nikhil Kumaraswamy said the party had given the government two weeks to act. “If the government does not take over the NICE project, the JD(S) will launch an intense agitation. We will also create awareness among the people and release a website with all relevant documents,” he said.
Nikhil described the High Court judgment as historic, alleging the project was a major scam and was not implemented as per the agreement. He said farmers had not received compensation and that the court had cancelled the final notification for land acquisition.
He questioned the government’s silence, saying crores of rupees were being collected as toll despite the court’s observations. “We have appealed to the Governor to intervene and ensure that the government acts,” he said.
On the Bidadi land acquisition issue, Nikhil said 81 farmers had approached the High Court and expressed confidence in receiving justice. He noted that the court had said not even a brick should be moved and that arguments were yet to take place.
Nikhil also said the JD(S) would support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protests on state issues.
“We fought together inside the Assembly. Now, outside too, we will stand with the BJP,” he said.
Referring to the re‑induction of B. Nagendra into the State Cabinet, Nikhil said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself had acknowledged irregularities and questioned why a person facing allegations was inducted.
Responding to Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy’s criticism of Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, Nikhil said Kumaraswamy always spoke based on documents.
He accused ministers of indulging in “hit‑and‑run politics” and asked why the Chief Minister had not joined discussions on the Bidadi issue despite invitations.