Kumaraswamy meets NICE project land losers across 30+ villages, vows joint fight
Synopsis
Kumaraswamy has turned the NICE project land dispute into a full political offensive — personally visiting 30-plus villages, alleging a ₹3 lakh crore scam bigger than 2G, and calling for CM Shivakumar's resignation. With documents promised and farmers being mobilised, this is shaping into one of Karnataka's biggest land-and-governance controversies ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Key Takeaways
Kumaraswamy personally visited NICE project land losers on 2 October 2026 , covering four locations from Madavara Junction to Ganasandra .
The outreach covered affected residents from more than 30 villages .
Kumaraswamy has alleged the BMIC project involves a scam worth more than ₹3 lakh crore — bigger than the 2G spectrum scam , according to him.
He questioned Karnataka CM D.K.
Shivakumar's asset growth from ₹4 crore in 2003 to ₹1,413 crore in 2023 ; all allegations are yet to be independently verified.
The BMIC project was originally initiated in 1995 under former PM H.D.
Deve Gowda to improve Bengaluru-Mysuru road connectivity.
Kumaraswamy has promised to release further documents and demanded CM Shivakumar's resignation if the state government fails to act.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday, 2 October 2026, personally visited farmers who lost land to the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (NICE) project, travelling across four locations from Madavara Junction to Ganasandra to hear grievances firsthand. The outreach covered affected residents from more than 30 villages, with Kumaraswamy appealing to Janata Dal (Secular) workers, party leaders, and displaced farmers to participate in large numbers.
What Kumaraswamy Said on the Ground
'I am setting out to receive the grievances of people who have suffered after losing their land for the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor project (NICE). From Friday morning until evening, I will personally meet my affected people,' Kumaraswamy said in a statement ahead of the visit. He added: 'Let us fight together. We should not rest until we achieve our goal.'
The Allegations Against the NICE Project
This comes amid a sharp escalation in Kumaraswamy's political offensive against the Karnataka government. On Tuesday, he had alleged that the Bengaluru-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) — popularly known as the NICE project — was a scam worth more than ₹3 lakh crore. He claimed it was bigger than the 2G spectrum scam and promised to release further documents in subsequent instalments of what he described as an expose.
Notably, Kumaraswamy also questioned how the assets of Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar reportedly grew from ₹4 crore in 2003 to ₹1,413 crore in 2023. He further alleged that Shivakumar and his brother, former Congress Member of Parliament D.K. Suresh, had 'misused' the legislative and executive machinery in a joint operation that adversely affected farmers and facilitated large-scale irregularities in the BMIC project. Kumaraswamy challenged the state government to act on the alleged irregularities, saying Chief Minister Shivakumar should resign if the government lacked the courage to do so.
It must be noted that the allegations and documents cited by Kumaraswamy require examination by the relevant authorities to establish the facts.
Background: The NICE Project's Origins
The BMIC project was initiated in 1995 during the tenure of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda — Kumaraswamy's father — as an infrastructure initiative aimed at improving road connectivity between Bengaluru and Mysuru through a tolled expressway and associated townships. Kumaraswamy, however, alleged that the project's original objectives were subsequently altered, transforming it into a major land-related controversy that hurt farmers' interests over the years.
Political Context and What Comes Next
The visit signals Kumaraswamy's intent to build a grassroots political coalition around the NICE land issue ahead of potential electoral mobilisation in Karnataka. His dual role — as a Union Minister and opposition voice against the state's Indian National Congress government — gives the campaign both administrative visibility and political weight. Observers will watch whether the Karnataka government formally responds to the allegations or whether the matter is referred to a judicial or legislative inquiry.
Point of View
Without independent verification, remains an allegation — yet its scale ensures it dominates the news cycle. What is overlooked is the project's own origin: the BMIC was initiated under H.D. Deve Gowda's government, which complicates the clean victim-versus-villain framing Kumaraswamy is projecting. The Congress government's silence or response in the coming days will be as telling as the allegations themselves.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kumaraswamy visiting NICE project land losers in Bengaluru?
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is visiting affected farmers to hear grievances of people who lost land to the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (NICE) project, covering four locations and more than 30 villages on 2 October 2026. The visit is part of a broader political campaign in which he has alleged massive irregularities in the BMIC project and called for accountability from the Karnataka government.
What is the NICE or BMIC project?
The Bengaluru-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC), known as the NICE project, is an infrastructure initiative aimed at improving road connectivity between Bengaluru and Mysuru through a tolled expressway and associated townships. It was originally initiated in 1995 during the tenure of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.
What allegations has Kumaraswamy made against the NICE project?
Kumaraswamy has alleged that the BMIC project is a scam worth more than ₹3 lakh crore — claiming it is bigger than the 2G spectrum scam. He has also alleged that Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar and his brother, former Congress MP D.K. Suresh, misused legislative and executive machinery to facilitate irregularities. These allegations are yet to be verified by relevant authorities.
What has Kumaraswamy demanded from the Karnataka government?
Kumaraswamy has challenged the state government to take action against the alleged irregularities in the NICE project, saying Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar should resign if the government lacks the courage to act. He has also promised to release further documents as part of his ongoing expose.
How does this fit into Karnataka's broader political picture?
The NICE project controversy is emerging as a major flashpoint between the ruling Congress government in Karnataka and the JD(S)-BJP combine at the Centre. Kumaraswamy's dual role as Union Minister and state-level opposition figure gives the campaign significant visibility, with observers watching whether the issue triggers a formal inquiry or escalates into a larger political confrontation.
