BJP sticks to its stand on BMIC, no threat to Govt: Venkaiah

Bangalore, June 19: Sticking to its earlier stand of opposing the take over of the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project, the BJP today said the differences with its coalition partner Janata Dal (Secular) have been ironed out and there was no threat to the Karnataka Government.

Party Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu had rushed to the city two days ago to diffuse the tension arising out of the divergent standpoints taken by the partners in the BMIC project, promoted by the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE).

Speaking to reporters after attending a Legislature Party meet, Mr Naidu said the party had proposed a three-point formula to JD(S), reiterating its earlier stand. The formula suggested that the project should not be taken over by the Government and the contentious 2,450 acres of excess land should be given back to the farmers it also suggested that and NICE should be asked to meet its social obligations like building houses and providing other basic facilities to those who had lost their land for the project.

''The BJP wants this project to continue. Excess land should be identified and given back to the farmers and the promoters should plough back some of the profit to benefit the local farmers and take up community service. Just one project like this should not put a State Government in jeopardy. I assure you that this project will not affect the coalition and the two partners are together. We need infrastructure for development and should also understand that there is a Supreme Court judgement on this project,'' he said.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who was also present, said the party's stand that only the excess land should be redeemed and given back to its original owners had got appreciation from various quarters.

UNI

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