Bengaluru: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on August 25, Tuesday levelled serious allegations against Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, claiming that the CM was attempting to take over the NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise) project through benami companies.
Addressing reporters at the JD(S) office, Kumaraswamy alleged that thousands of acres acquired from farmers for the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project were at the centre of a larger land-related controversy. He said he would produce documents to substantiate his allegations in the coming week.
“According to the information I have, the present Chief Minister is trying to acquire the NICE company through benami companies. Is there one law for farmers and another for the Chief Minister? Thousands of acres acquired in the name of the BMIC project are being targeted. I am not making these allegations merely for a political speech. I will come before the people next week with documents,” Kumaraswamy said.
30 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ನೈಸ್ ಅಕ್ರಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಿತಿಯೇ ಇಲ್ಲದಂತಾಗಿದೆ. ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಭೂಮಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟ ರೈತರಿಗೆ ಇನ್ನೂ ಪರಿಹಾರ ದೊರೆತಿಲ್ಲ. ಇತ್ತ ಯೋಜನೆಯೂ ಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೂ ಯೋಜನಾ ಚೌಕಟ್ಟು ಒಪ್ಪಂದವನ್ನು ಉಲ್ಲಂಘಿಸಿ ಟೋಲ್ ಸುಲಿಗೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. 2/2#ಬಿಡದಿರಕ್ಷಿಸೋಣ #SaveBidadi #CongressAginistFarmers#NiceLootsKarnataka pic.twitter.com/GPKMOQe9GQ
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | HD Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) August 23, 2026
He challenged Shivakumar to publicly disclose who was attempting to take over the NICE project and who was behind the alleged transactions. “Let the Chief Minister tell the people who is taking over the NICE project and who is involved through benami companies. Let him speak the truth before the people of Karnataka,” he said.
Kumaraswamy also described the NICE project as one of the biggest alleged land scams in the country and called for students and young people to question the government over the issue.
He alleged that farmers whose land was acquired nearly two decades ago were yet to receive proper compensation, while the company had allegedly sold portions of the acquired land. He further claimed that the project agreement envisaged construction of 111 km of road, but only around five km had been constructed.
The Union minister also questioned the continued collection of toll on NICE roads, alleging that the government had failed to take action despite repeated objections and concerns surrounding the project.
“The government has remained silent on the alleged irregularities in the NICE project. The project framework agreement has been violated in several respects. Despite this, toll collection continues. The government should explain why action has not been taken,” he said.
Kumaraswamy referred to observations made by the Karnataka High Court regarding the NICE project and alleged that the state government should have taken those observations seriously. He called for a peaceful public movement against what he described as irregularities in the project, while specifically asking young people and students not to resort to violence.
“We do not want people to enter toll plazas or take the law into their own hands. Our objective is to conduct a peaceful struggle. Our party believes in the ideals of Jayaprakash Narayan and democratic movements. Therefore, our fight will remain peaceful,” he said.
Kumaraswamy urged people across Karnataka, and not just Bengaluru residents, to understand the alleged impact of the NICE project. He also called for public awareness campaigns over toll collection and other issues concerning the project.
Union Minister Kumaraswamy attacks government over parks
Minister Kumaraswamy also accused the state government of attempting to use public-purpose provisions to commercially exploit Bengaluru’s parks and playgrounds. He alleged that the government was planning to use a portion of park land in the name of public purposes, which, he claimed, could adversely affect the city’s green spaces.
“The government is planning to destroy Bengaluru’s lung space in the name of development. Parks and playgrounds must be protected. Using public purpose as an excuse to commercially exploit park land will harm the city,” he said.
He also criticised the government over the proposed annual parking charge for vehicles parked in front of houses, alleging that the move would further burden citizens.
Show me my benami property and I will quit politics: HD Kumaraswamy
Responding to allegations that he himself possessed benami properties, Minister Kumaraswamy issued a political challenge to his critics. “If anyone says that I have benami property, let them show me one such property. I openly challenge this government. If they can establish that I own any benami property, I will retire from politics,” he said.
The Minister maintained that the NICE issue required a detailed investigation and greater public scrutiny. He said the alleged irregularities should be examined through documents and records rather than political statements and reiterated that he would release further material on the matter in the coming week.
