The former Prime Minister, Deve Gowda, on Monday alleged that lawyers appearing for the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) had misled the Supreme Court to pass orders to implement the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project to the detriment of farmers.
Mr. Gowda, who watched the court proceedings, later told journalists on the Supreme Court lawns that land over and above the project requirement was sought to be transferred by the Karnataka government. He admitted that he used derogatory words against Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Sunday. However, he made it clear that he was not against Mr. Yeddyurappa but only against State Advocate General Ashok Harnahalli.
He said he was moved by the agony of farmers whose land was to be acquired for the project and this forced him to use such words. Mr. Gowda took exception to the submission made by counsel for NICE that “Mr. Gowda and his cronies have about 4,000 acres of land…” and said the Supreme Court could appoint an amicus curiae (friend of the court) or appoint a committee to probe the allegation. He said he would quit politics if it was proved that he owned even one acre of land.
