Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday, 3 October escalated his political offensive against Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, levelling allegations of irregularities in land transactions linked to the NICE Road project in Bengaluru and questioning purported ties between the Chief Minister's family and the Shobha apartment complex at Hosakerehalli. The remarks came after Kumaraswamy met farmers who claim to have lost their land to the project.

The NICE Project and Its Controversy

The NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise) project encompasses the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC), including the NICE Road, developed by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise Ltd. The project has long been mired in controversy over land acquisition processes, compensation to farmers, the extent of land allotted, and alleged violations of the original agreement. Kumaraswamy has demanded that the project be scrapped and called on commuters to refuse paying toll on the NICE Road.

Allegations Against Shivakumar and His Family

Kumaraswamy questioned the ownership of the Shobha apartment complex near the Hosakerehalli toll, alleging that Chief Minister Shivakumar's family and his brother, D.K. Suresh, had links to the property. He raised pointed questions about individuals he named as Amashe Gowda, Bhagyalakshmi, and Kempegowda, demanding clarity on their connection to the property.

He further alleged that land had been purchased in the Chief Minister's name and his mother's name, questioning how it was possible to acquire land already notified for a government project and how a No Objection Certificate (NOC) had been secured. He claimed the property had enabled the creation of assets worth approximately ₹2,000 crore through the construction of the high-rise Shobha complex. Kumaraswamy also alleged that around 200–300 acres of land surrounding the NICE Road had reportedly been acquired by Shivakumar and his family, and that land had been taken from residents through alleged intimidation and coercion — claims the Chief Minister's office has not yet publicly addressed.

Takeover Bid and Silencing Attempts, Kumaraswamy Claims

Kumaraswamy alleged that the NICE Road project itself faces the risk of a takeover, claiming that Shivakumar was attempting to acquire the entire project in association with a Hyderabad-based business figure. He noted that the NICE agreement is set to expire next year, after which the road would become a full public asset, and alleged that moves were already under way to 'swallow it' before that date.

He further claimed that he had been approached with inducements to stay silent on the NICE project. 'Why do you want to get involved in the NICE project? Stay silent on this issue. Take whatever you want,' he alleged, describing what he said were overtures he rejected. 'Nobody can buy me. I am a man of the people. I live for the people and am ready to give my life for them,' Kumaraswamy said.

Demand for Arrest of NICE MD Ashok Kheny

Kumaraswamy also demanded the immediate arrest of NICE Managing Director Ashok Kheny, alleging that Kheny had made derogatory remarks about the late Siddaganga seer, Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Mahaswamiji. He alleged that Kheny had appropriated property belonging to Siddaganga Mutt and accused Chief Minister Shivakumar of shielding him. He further alleged that the NICE company had denied NOCs to poor farmers whose land was acquired for the project and had even refused an NOC to the Siddaganga Mutt itself.

Drawing a literary parallel, Kumaraswamy compared Shivakumar to Shishupala from the Mahabharata, saying that just as Lord Krishna allowed Shishupala to commit 101 mistakes before acting, the people of Karnataka had been watching and had now given the Chief Minister a final opportunity. 'Excessive greed, an insatiable hunger for land and the desire for more and more despite what God has given a person can lead him to commit one mistake after another,' he said. These are allegations; Shivakumar's office had not issued a formal response at the time of reporting. With the NICE agreement nearing expiry, the political battle over the project's future is likely to intensify in the months ahead.