Shivakumar says NICE allegations will be answered legally

Mysuru : Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday said he would respond to allegations of irregularities in the NICE project through legal means and would not get drawn into a political war of words with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

Speaking to reporters in Piriyapatna, Shivakumar said the law would determine who was right and who was wrong in the matter. He said he did not want to react to every allegation and divert attention from the issue. “I will respond through legal means,” the Chief Minister said, adding that he would not comment further on the NICE controversy at present.

On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Shivakumar said the state government had no plans for a separate investigation for now. He said the Election Commission would conduct the necessary inquiry into the controversy, including questions about where the forms were printed and how they reached the BJP.

The Chief Minister said the state had already brought the matter to the notice of the Central Election Commission and would wait for its response before deciding on further action. Shivakumar also defended the gathering outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Bengaluru, saying it was not a protest or dharna. He said elected representatives had gone there to bring the issue to the election authorities’ attention.

He challenged critics to take legal action if he had violated any law. “If I have committed a mistake, let them register a case against me,” he said. Meanwhile, Shivakumar said the government was planning several new attractions for the Mysuru Dasara Jambu Savari, including participation by artists and possible tableaux from other states.