Published Sep 30, 2026 | 9:59 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 30, 2026 | 10:05 AM
Shivakumar alleged that Kumaraswamy was making the claims out of desperation amid the rift between the JD(S) and the BJP.
Synopsis: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has rejected the corruption allegations levelled by JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy over the NICE Road project. Shivakumar acknowledged owning assets worth ₹1,400 crore but said they were acquired legally, and challenged Kumaraswamy to submit evidence of alleged corruption to the Income Tax Department.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has reacted to allegations of corruption and illegal accumulation of assets raised by Union Minister of Heavy Industries and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Kumaraswamy had alleged that Shivakumar increased his wealth from ₹4 crore to ₹1,400 crore in two decades by fraudulent means committed while implementing the NICE Road project connecting Bengaluru with Mysuru. The JDS leader also alleged that the scam cost the State exchequer ₹30,000 crore and demanded Shivakumar’s resignation.
Speaking to the media on September 29, Shivakumar acknowledged that he had assets worth ₹1,400 crore but claimed he accumulated them through legal means.
“Yes, at today’s market value, I have assets worth ₹1,400 crore. I have acquired assets within the legal framework. Kumaraswamy is talking like this out of desperation,” the Congress leader said.
He alleged that Kumaraswamy was making the claims out of desperation amid the rift between the JD(S) and the BJP. The CM also questioned why Kumaraswamy had remained silent for all these years and was raising the allegations only now.
“Due to the rift in the BJP-JDS alliance and the rat race between them, Kumaraswamy has become desperate. He is unable to digest it. Why was he silent all these days? His father Deve Gowda himself had signed that project. Additionally, he too was the Chief Minister. Moreover, they themselves tried and awarded a tender to someone named Gandhi. The court had reprimanded them regarding this matter. Many transactions took place in benami names here and there. Unlike him, I will not go about taking names,” Shivakumar said.
Shivakumar stressed that his wealth had been accumulated through legal means and challenged Kumaraswamy to submit his alleged findings of corruption involving the chief minister to the Income Tax Department.
“He has spoken about my assets. Being a farmer’s son and an entrepreneur, shouldn’t I own assets? Shouldn’t my children buy assets? I have created assets strictly within the legal scope available. What is wrong with that? Is Kumaraswamy an Income Tax officer? Let him submit the information to the Income Tax Department,” he said.
“Can only these people coming from some towns buy up all the properties here? Don’t they have properties within the BMICAPA and NICE Road project? Who all have bought properties? Why are all their properties within that range, and how did property come into the Bidadi Township project?” he questioned.
“Let Kumaraswamy do whatever he wants. I don’t care about it. I have assets. If my children have the capacity to buy more, they will. The law permits it; they have the purchasing power, and they will live their lives,” he added.
The CM reiterated that his family had not accumulated its assets through any secretive means, while also taking a dig at Kumaraswamy over his wealth.
“I have every right and opportunity to do business. My children also have the capacity. They have the ability to purchase more. I don’t need to do anything secretly. I have already declared my assets,” Shivakumar said.
“I won’t go into detail about what all Kumaraswamy has right now. Someone told me these things. Hasn’t Kumaraswamy taken everything and submitted it to various agencies already? How many more times will he submit it? If he needs a lorry, we can send one for him,” he said.
When asked about Kumaraswamy challenging him to a debate on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha, he said, “Why on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha? If he has the courage, let him make someone resign from their Council or Assembly membership, get into the Assembly, and debate inside. Instead of debating on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha, there is Freedom Park; let him go there and debate.”
Shivakumar’s response came hours after Kumaraswamy held a press conference in Bengaluru and levelled serious corruption allegations against the chief minister.
Kumaraswamy alleged that Shivakumar was involved in a scam related to the implementation of the Bengaluru–Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor, commonly known as the NICE project.
He cited government affidavits, MoUs, the project’s Outline Development Plan, court orders and property deeds to make a wide range of allegations against Shivakumar and Ashok Kheny, managing director of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Limited, which built and operates the BMIC.
Kumaraswamy said the documents showed deviations from the Framework Agreement (FWA) signed in 1997 for the project, illegal changes in the alignment and land allocation, and the execution of a 2002 tripartite agreement, when Shivakumar was Urban Development Minister and chairman of the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Area Planning Authority (BMICAPA), that permitted the sale of land.
He alleged that the changes enormously benefited private parties, including the Shivakumar family, and caused a ₹30,000-crore loss to the State exchequer as of 2008.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
