DK Shivakumar Responds to Kumaraswamy Over NICE Road Property Allegations

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has strongly responded to allegations raised by Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy over his assets and the Bengaluru Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor project, commonly known as the NICE Road project.

Kumaraswamy had recently alleged irregularities in the project and questioned changes made to its original framework, including land allocation and transactions involving properties connected to Shivakumar and his family. He also alleged that the project had caused a major financial loss to the state. These claims remain allegations made by Kumaraswamy and have been disputed by Shivakumar.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Shivakumar rejected the accusations and said there was nothing improper about him or his family owning property. He maintained that his assets were acquired through lawful means and that the details had already been disclosed to the relevant authorities.

Shivakumar questioned why his status as a farmer’s son and businessman should prevent him from owning property. He also asked whether Kumaraswamy was acting as an Income Tax official while questioning his assets.

The Chief Minister further challenged Kumaraswamy to approach the Income Tax Department if he had concerns about his property holdings. Shivakumar also questioned land transactions associated with the wider BMIC and NICE Road area and asked why similar questions were not being raised about properties held by others connected to the project.

The dispute follows Kumaraswamy’s detailed allegations concerning the development of the Bengaluru Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor. The Union minister has claimed that changes to the project framework increased the land requirement for the toll road and altered allocations originally included in the project agreement.

Kumaraswamy has also alleged that certain land transactions involving Shivakumar’s family and other private parties benefited from changes made to the project. He cited various government documents, agreements and court proceedings while presenting his allegations.

Shivakumar, however, has rejected the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. He questioned why Kumaraswamy had not raised similar objections earlier, particularly when he himself had served as Chief Minister and was involved in the states administration during earlier stages of the NICE Road controversy.

The Chief Minister also referred to the history of the project and the involvement of earlier governments. He questioned decisions taken during previous administrations and argued that responsibility for the projects history could not be placed on him alone.

Shivakumar said he had no reason to hide his property holdings. He maintained that he had declared his assets and had no need to acquire property secretly. He also said that his children were entitled to purchase property if they had the financial capacity to do so and complied with the law.

The exchange has added another chapter to the long running political dispute surrounding the NICE Road project. Land acquisition, changes to the project framework and development rights have remained contentious issues for years.

Kumaraswamy has continued to demand action over what he describes as irregularities in the project. He has also called for accountability over the alleged financial impact on the state and questioned the role of individuals associated with the project.

Shivakumar has responded by saying that he will not be intimidated by threats or political pressure. He dismissed suggestions that allegations or claims of blackmail would influence him and said he would continue with his responsibilities as Chief Minister.

He also referred to allegations involving phone tapping and political pressure, saying that he had faced similar political attacks in the past and would not be deterred by them.

The latest exchange comes amid renewed political tension between the Congress and JD(S), with Kumaraswamy continuing to raise questions about the NICE project and Shivakumar defending his record and property holdings.

The Karnataka High Court has also examined aspects of the NICE project in recent proceedings, adding to the wider legal and administrative background surrounding the controversy. However, allegations concerning individual property transactions and alleged financial benefits still require examination through relevant records and competent authorities rather than being treated as established facts.

For now, the dispute remains centred on competing claims. Kumaraswamy has pointed to project documents and land transactions to question Shivakumar’s role, while Shivakumar has denied wrongdoing and maintained that his assets were legally acquired and properly disclosed.

The political confrontation is expected to keep the NICE Road project and related land transactions in focus as both leaders continue to put forward their respective positions.