The white paper should include details of decisions taken by successive governments since 1995, when the project was conceived by him. “People of the State should know the facts as to whose baby the project is and who actually nurtured it to their benefits,” the former PM told the media and warned that he will continue his protest till the CM meets his demand.

He claimed: “When I conceived the baby (project), it was healthy. I planned the project to attract foreign direct investment to the State, but subsequent governments crippled the baby to help NICE. Hundreds of farmers are suffering due to the fraud.”

He called upon his party workers to maintain restraint and not to get provoked by protests being staged by BJP workers against his caustic remarks on Yeddyurappa. “I will not bother if the BJP workers burn my effigy and slap my portraits with footwear. We have decided to protest the injustice on the Gandhian principles,” he stated.

Asked whether he will apologise for his remarks against the CM, Gowda said he has already taken back his words and it is a closed chapter. Alleging that the project promoter NICE was harassing farmers to give away their land, he said that he was ready to tender an apology for criticising the Government if proved that any farmer was hurt or attacked in the State during H D Kumaraswamy tenure as the CM.