Deve Gowda demands CBI probe against NICE

MP and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project executed by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE).

Gowda warned that if the government fails to order a probe, he would take up the issue during the election campaign.

Addressing reporters at a press conference here on Saturday, Gowda said that even though the Legislature Committee submitted its report several years ago, nothing has happened so far. Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Minister Kagodu Thimmappa and former chief minister Jagadish Shettar had raised their voice against the irregularities in the project, he pointed out.

“I have brought the issue to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and have written a letter to All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi. The government has not considered the issue seriously. The legislators have no self-confidence to raise their voice against NICE irregularities in the session. I will launch a lone protest for the welfare of the farmers,” he said.

Gowda said that he did not know about the irregularities until farmers brought it to his notice in 2002.

'JD(S) to field GTD'

Deve Gowda said that JD(S) will field Chamundeshwari MLA G T Devegowda from the constituency in the upcoming election in 2018. Referring to a press meet of G T Devegowda in Mysuru on Friday to level allegations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deve Gowda said, “I had never seen Devegowda speaking against Siddaramaiah in such a manner. He (Devegowda) will be the JD(S) candidate for Chamundeshwari Assembly segment,” said Gowda.

Gowda said that JD(S) will field Chamundeshwari MLA G T Devegowda from the constituency in the upcoming election in 2018. Referring to a press meet in Mysuru on Friday where G T Devegowda levelled allegations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,  Gowda said, “I had never seen Devegowda speak against Siddaramaiah in such a manner. He (Devegowda) will be the JD(S) candidate for Chamundeshwari Assembly segment,” Gowda said.