H.D. Kumaraswamy (left) and D.K. Shivakumar at the dharna. Photographs supplied; AI-assisted composite | thebengalurulive.com.
Bengaluru: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s protest over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was an attempt to divert public attention from allegations involving the NICE project and the Chief Minister’s family.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday evening, Kumaraswamy linked the protest’s timing to his recent allegations concerning project land. He also questioned why police had allowed the Chief Minister and Cabinet colleagues to hold a dharna when restrictions were cited against other protesters.
Claims NICE controversy prompted the protest
Kumaraswamy said he had held a detailed press conference three days earlier and presented documents to allege that the Chief Minister and members of his family had acted in collusion with NICE to acquire project land. He claimed the SIR issue was being brought to the forefront as those allegations drew political and public attention.
Our earlier report details Kumaraswamy’s allegations over NICE land and his questions about Shivakumar’s role.
The Union Minister also referred to remarks he attributed to the NICE contractor about the financial cost of a government takeover of the project. According to Kumaraswamy’s account, the contractor had claimed the state would have to pay at least ₹2 lakh crore and had invoked Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha while questioning the government’s ability to pay.
Kumaraswamy alleged that the Chief Minister was protecting the contractor and claimed the state’s guarantee schemes had depleted the treasury.
Says JD(S) and NDA had complained earlier
Kumaraswamy alleged that Congress leaders had gathered people in groups at marriage halls, community halls, houses and other locations for voter-roll revision when the SIR exercise began. He said JD(S) had complained to the Election Commission, followed by a joint complaint from NDA leaders.
He claimed no cases were registered despite those complaints and accused Congress of now alleging irregularities after previously remaining silent. He said the party’s current position amounted to a reversal of its earlier stance.
Mocking Congress’s allegations of “vote theft”, he used the Kannada expression comparing it to the Bhagavad Gita coming from a ghost’s mouth. He also alleged that the state leadership had begun the protest after pressure from Congress leaders in Delhi.
Questions protest permission and Cabinet priorities
Kumaraswamy criticised Shivakumar and his ministers for protesting instead of attending the scheduled Cabinet meeting. He asked why police, who cite court directions when other groups seek to protest, had permitted this dharna, and questioned whether the action violated those directions.
He further accused the state leadership of acting on instructions from Delhi rather than exercising independent judgment. Referring to Shivakumar’s claims about AHINDA voters—minorities, backward classes and Dalits—he alleged that the Chief Minister was himself sidelining AHINDA ministers in the Cabinet.
Shivakumar has said the protest seeks a criminal investigation into alleged attempts to remove eligible voters through Form 7 applications and that protecting voting rights is the government’s responsibility. Read our report on his dharna at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office for his account.
Related coverage: Shivakumar’s detailed allegations over pre-printed Form 7 applications; Pralhad Joshi’s response to the CEO office dharna; and Shivakumar’s defence of his assets and response to the NICE allegations.
Latest development: Karnataka CEO directs inquiry before action against applicants submitting knowingly false voter forms; read the full letter.
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