Kumaraswamy adopting blackmailing tactics: Cong

Bangalore, June 15: The Congress in Karnataka today alleged that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy was adopting blackmailing tactics with the ruling coalition partner BJP by saying that he would step down from power within a fortnight over the controversial Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) issue.

Talking to newspersons at the party office here, State Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the state faced a 'fluid' situation following the standoff between the ruling coalition partners-JD (S) and the BJP over the multicrore project.

He said the Chief Minister's remarks were a veiled threat to the BJP to accept his decision to bring in a legislation to take over the BMIC project from its promoters Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE).

Mr Kharge said such remarks and lack of coordination among the coalition partners sent wrong signals to both the government officials and prospective investors.

To a question, he said the bouncing of a cheque for Rs five lakh issued by the government to NICE following a Supreme Court directive, reflected the 'financial bankruptcy.' It was unfortunate that developmental activities had come to a standstill following paucity of funds, he rued.

He said party senior leader A K Antony, in charge of state affairs, would visit the state for three days from June 18. A decision on issues relating to changing of Opposition leaders and Legislative Council Chairman would have to be taken by the party leadership, he added.

UNI