BMIC project: I am ready to quit, says Kumaraswamy

Bangalore, June 14 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said he was ready to quit if he was unable to protect the interests of the farmers in the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project issue.

Speaking to newspersons after inaugurating a Computer Center in memory of late Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor H Narasimhaiah at Hosur village in Kolar district, he said the JD (S)' stand on the BMIC issue was unequivocal and reinterated that farmers had been cheated by the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE), executors of the project.

Stating that it was his responsibility to protect the interests of farmers who were feeling cheated, he said ''I will fight for their cause whether I continue in office or not.'' Meanwhile, talking to reporters at Gulbarga, senior BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said there was no change in his party's stand over the issue.

He said his party was against the government taking over the project from NICE. It would support any move taken to redeem the excess land of 2,450 acres acquired by NICE for the project, he added.

Expressing a similar view, senior BJP leader and Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar said in the event of the government taking back the excess land, it should be distributed to farmers who had given their land for the project.

In Mysore, BJP State President D V Sadananda Gowda reiterated the views of his party leaders on the issue and said the protection of farmers interests was paramount. ''That is why we supported introduction of a Bill to redeem the excess land from NICE.'' Mr Gowda said it was necessary for ruling coalition partners--JD (S) and BJP--to have a talk on the issue to solve it smoothly and complete the much-delayed project. Taking over the project from NICE would only delay it further. However, his party was ready for a give and take policy on the issue, he added.

He also appealed to other parties to come up with suggestions to solve the problem, instead of criticising the government.

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