Bengaluru, Dec 24 (NationPress) Former Prime Minister and JD-S Rajya Sabha member H.D. Deve Gowda revealed on Wednesday that a writ petition concerning the Bengaluru–Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project has been submitted by the Karnataka government to the Supreme Court, and he has been included as a party in this legal matter.

During a press conference held at the state party office, JP Bhavan in Bengaluru, Deve Gowda mentioned that the state government, some farmers, and he himself have been listed as parties in the petition.

"At my age, I find it disheartening to be compelled to pay lawyers' fees and engage in legal battles," he expressed, voicing his dissatisfaction with the Karnataka government.

It is noteworthy that Deve Gowda is currently 92 years old.

The former Prime Minister recalled that when he served as Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah was the Finance Minister.

According to Deve Gowda, the BMIC project had the approval of the Finance Department, and an MoU was formalized at that time.

He asserted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is fully informed about the details of that agreement.

He stated that the project covers four districts, including Bengaluru city, Mandya, and Mysuru.

The agreement involved constructing five townships and solid roadways, he noted.

"At this stage in my life, I am being forced to pay around Rs 55 lakh to legal consultants regarding the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) case," Deve Gowda elaborated.

He criticized the fact that despite the assistance of the state government's Advocate General and legal advisors, an additional legal consultant has been appointed specifically for the NICE company issue.

"I remain resolute in my intention to fight. I possess the strength to endure," he declared.

Deve Gowda sarcastically remarked that the current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah displays boundless compassion for the impoverished.

He pointed out that there are seven or eight individuals functioning at a Cabinet level within the Chief Minister's Office, reflecting their governance style.

Furthermore, he emphasized that it is futile for the state government to continuously blame the Central government for every problem, as this approach yields no results.

"During Siddaramaiah's tenure as Finance Minister, Manmohan Singh held the same position at the Centre. When requests were made to waive penal interest on farmers' loans, as promised in his party's manifesto, neither Manmohan Singh, nor the then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, nor NABARD approved it," the former Prime Minister noted.

He mentioned that a joint session of Parliament is set to commence on January 30, and prior to that, between January 23 and 25, the party will conduct one convention each in the Hassan and Bagalkote regions.

These conventions will focus on the shortcomings of the state government, including its failure to continue the welfare programs initiated during former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's administration, Deve Gowda added.

In response to Congress leaders' criticisms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the renaming of the MGNREGA scheme, Deve Gowda remarked that he is well aware of the true respect the Congress party exhibited towards Mahatma Gandhi during its time in office.

Also present were Legislative Council member T.N. Javarai Gowda, former members K.A. Tippeswamy, Choudareddy Thoopalli, and others.