CM denies allurements from NICE

Seeking to end the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) row, promoted by Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises, which stalled state legislature proceedings for two consecutive days, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday in a volte-face denied having alleged that a former minister and journalist approached him on behalf of BMIC promoters for a 'settlement'.

The Opposition members have been demanding the CM's resignation for failing to lodge a complaint against the BMIC promoters for offering an inducement.

In a suo motu statement in the assembly, Kumaraswamy said: "On June 13 while addressing a press meet, I had only invited the BMIC promoters for a public debate on the project and never said a minister and a journalist came to bribe me."

Congress leader Kharge exhorted Kumaraswamy to maintain restraint while making statements.

In fact, the JD (S) and Congress had struck a truce behind the scenes to end the impasse over the BMIC project.