Shivakumar rejects Kumaraswamy’s infrastructure allegations

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has rejected allegations made by Union Industries and Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy concerning the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project, calling them lies.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Shivakumar declined to respond to the individual allegations. He said the agreement had been signed by Kumaraswamy’s father, former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, and noted that Kumaraswamy had also served as chief minister.

Shivakumar said he would not be intimidated by what he described as threats and political drama. He also claimed that Kumaraswamy had tapped the phones of two religious leaders, although the supplied material provides no further details about that allegation. The chief minister said the NICE project would benefit Channapatna, Ramanagara and Mysuru.

He challenged Kumaraswamy to hold an open discussion in the Karnataka Assembly rather than debate the issue outside it. Shivakumar also responded to allegations about the growth of his wealth. He said his properties were currently worth ₹1,400 crore, adding that he had declared them to the income-tax authorities.

He attributed the increase in the value of some holdings to rising property prices. As an example, he said a site for which he had paid ₹99,000 after it was allotted by former chief minister S. Bangarappa was now worth about ₹20 crore.

The chief minister also defended a land transaction involving his brother, D.K. Suresh. Kumaraswamy had alleged that a 10-acre parcel near Hoskerehalli had generated an estimated ₹2,000 crore through a joint development agreement with Sobha Developers.

Shivakumar asked what was wrong with the arrangement and denied that he had been involved in a scandal or corruption. The supplied material does not include Kumaraswamy’s detailed response to Shivakumar’s remarks.