JD(S) braces for next legal spat with NICE

JD(S) braces for next legal spat with NICE
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Differences between the coalition partners on the controversial Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project is likely to resurface, with the JD(S) planning to approach court.

Sources in the JD(S) said that the dismissal of the government’s review petition by the Supreme Court on Thursday was not the end of the road to seek legal remedy.

Besides, the party is also planning other alternatives ‘in the larger interest of the State,’ they said.

But coalition partner BJP which strongly resisted the move to ‘take over the entire project’ and stuck to its earlier decision. State BJP President D V Sadandada Gowda has already said that there will no change in their stand on the BMIC project.

The BJP has made it clear that government should take back excess lands from Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) and return it to farmers.

Meanwhile, the JD(S) is contemplating to file a curative petition before the Supreme Court as a last option. Asked what the other options before the government were, the sources said that a final decision in this regard will be taken after former Prime Minister and party national president H D Deve Gowda’s meeting with legal experts in New Delhi.

The sources maintained that the recent apex court verdict was not complete as it was confined to Frame Work Agreement. ‘‘The court is yet to decide on the excess lands, among other issues,’’ they said.