Kumaraswamy Accuses Karnataka CM Shivakumar of Illegal Land Deals in BMIC Project

Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday accused Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of engaging in illegal land purchases during his tenure as Urban Development Minister and Chairman of the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP) Authority in 2004. Kumaraswamy alleged that Shivakumar's decisions at the time violated the original framework agreement of the ambitious infrastructure project.

The BMIC project, conceived to develop a high-speed corridor between Bangalore and Mysore, has been mired in controversy for years over land acquisition and environmental concerns. Kumaraswamy, a former Chief Minister himself, claimed that Shivakumar's actions as the then Urban Development Minister were in direct contravention of the project's foundational agreements, though he did not provide specific evidence. Shivakumar, a senior Congress leader, has not yet responded to the allegations.

The accusations come amid heightened political tensions in Karnataka, where the Congress government led by Shivakumar has faced repeated criticism from opposition parties. The BMIC project remains a sensitive issue, with ongoing disputes over land rights and development priorities. This latest salvo from Kumaraswamy is likely to intensify the political battle, potentially prompting a response from Shivakumar and further scrutiny of past decisions. The controversy could also impact public perception and legal challenges surrounding the long-delayed infrastructure initiative.