Karnataka CM says his properties were acquired legally and declared to authorities; challenges Kumaraswamy to raise allegations in the Assembly
Bengaluru, September 29: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday hit back at Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over allegations concerning his assets, asserting that he had acquired his properties legally and had disclosed them to the Income Tax Department and other authorities.
Speaking to the media in New Delhi, Shivakumar acknowledged that the present valuation of his assets was around Rs 1,400 crore, but maintained that the properties had been accumulated within the legal framework.
“Yes, I have assets worth Rs 1,400 crore at today’s valuation. I have acquired them within the legal framework. Kumaraswamy is frustrated and is speaking like this,” Shivakumar said.
He attributed Kumaraswamy’s criticism to differences within the BJP-JDS alliance and questioned his stand on the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project, commonly known as the NICE project.
Shivakumar pointed out that Kumaraswamy’s father, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, had signed the agreement related to the project and that Kumaraswamy himself had served as Chief Minister. He questioned why the project was not stopped during Kumaraswamy’s tenure in 2007.
He also alleged that Kumaraswamy had attempted to award a tender to a person named Gandhi and referred to court observations concerning the matter. Shivakumar further alleged that several transactions had taken place in benami names, while saying he did not want to name individuals in the manner Kumaraswamy had done.
Responding to questions about his wealth, Shivakumar said his background as the son of a farmer did not prevent him from engaging in business and acquiring property.
“Should I not have property? Should my children not buy property? I have acquired property within what is legally permissible. What is wrong with that?” he asked.
He challenged Kumaraswamy to submit any information he had regarding Shivakumar’s assets to the Income Tax Department.
The Karnataka Chief Minister also questioned whether Kumaraswamy and his family members owned properties in areas associated with the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Area Planning Authority (BMICAPA), the NICE Road project and the proposed Bidadi Township project.
On allegations that he had invested Rs 5 crore in Shobha Developers and subsequently increased the value to around Rs 2,000 crore, Shivakumar denied any wrongdoing and cited the appreciation in the value of a property he had acquired during the tenure of former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa.
“Former Chief Minister late S. Bangarappa had given me a site for Rs 1 lakh. Today, its value is Rs 20 crore. Is there anything wrong with this? Did I take a bribe? Did I get caught in any scam? Nothing like that happened,” he said.
Shivakumar said he had the right to conduct business and that his children could also acquire property if they had the financial resources to do so. He maintained that there was no need for him to conceal his financial interests because he had regularly declared his assets.
“I do not need to do anything secretly. I have already declared my assets,” he said.
Kumaraswamy had challenged Shivakumar to a debate on the steps of Vidhana Soudha. Responding to this, Shivakumar said any substantive discussion should take place inside the Assembly. He added that Kumaraswamy could alternatively hold a public debate at Freedom Park.
Shivakumar also challenged Kumaraswamy’s claim that he had opposed the NICE project, asking why it had not been halted when he was in power. He further suggested that Kumaraswamy should ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to abolish tolls across the country if he was opposed to the existing system.
“I am not afraid of such empty threats. I have seen enough of this drama and blackmail. They cannot tolerate our government's popularity. There is no medicine for jealousy,” Shivakumar said.
Reacting to Kumaraswamy’s statement that the allegations were only “Part 1”, Shivakumar said he was not intimidated by threats, sting operations or blackmail. He also alleged that the phones of Balagangadharanatha Swamiji and Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji had been tapped and questioned whether he would be spared from such actions.
“I was not afraid when he was Chief Minister. Will I be afraid now? I am not someone who can be intimidated or blackmailed through threats,” he said.
Shivakumar further alleged that Kumaraswamy’s attacks were motivated by political differences and jealousy over the Congress government’s popularity. He also criticised Kumaraswamy over comments concerning his family.
Clarifying the details of the property acquired during Bangarappa’s tenure, Shivakumar said he had purchased the site for Rs 99,000 and that its value had subsequently risen to around Rs 20 crore.
He maintained that he owned several properties and had legitimate business interests, rejecting suggestions that his wealth had been accumulated through unlawful means.
“I have my own profession and business. I have declared my assets every year. The Election Commission and the Enforcement Directorate have already examined them. Let them appoint any bigger agency and investigate. Who will say no?” Shivakumar said.
