Kumaraswamy Accuses Shivakumar of Illegal Land Grab in Bengaluru's BMIC Project

H.D. Kumaraswamy, former Chief Minister of Karnataka and senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader, on [date] accused Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his family members of illegally acquiring land parcels around Bengaluru that were notified for the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project. The allegation, made during a press conference in Bengaluru, directly targets a senior Congress leader and has reignited a bitter political dispute in the state.

The BMIC project, a massive infrastructure initiative aimed at connecting Bengaluru and Mysuru, has been mired in controversy for years over land acquisition and alleged irregularities. Kumaraswamy claimed that Shivakumar and his relatives purchased land in areas notified for the project, potentially violating laws and profiting from insider knowledge. He demanded a thorough investigation by central agencies. Shivakumar has not yet responded to the allegations, but his party has previously dismissed similar accusations as politically motivated.

The accusations come amid heightened political tensions in Karnataka, where the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been facing opposition attacks over corruption and land scams. If substantiated, the allegations could damage Shivakumar's reputation and impact the Congress's standing ahead of upcoming elections. The BJP, which has been targeting the Congress over corruption, may seize on the issue to demand a probe. Legal experts suggest that if evidence emerges, it could lead to investigations by the Lokayukta or Central Bureau of Investigation, further complicating the state's political landscape.