The political dispute between Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy over toll collection on the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) Road intensified on Sunday, with Kumaraswamy rejecting suggestions that his criticism was driven by personal jealousy. Speaking to reporters in Akkur, Ramanagara district, Kumaraswamy said he had served as Karnataka Chief Minister twice and therefore had no reason to be envious of Shivakumar. He also stepped up his criticism of the state government over the continuation of toll collection.

Kumaraswamy said he had consistently raised his voice against what he described as illegal activities in Karnataka and attributed his approach to the political influence of his father, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Referring to criticism from Shivakumar, his younger brother D.K. Suresh and their supporters, he questioned why he should remain silent when he believed wrongdoing was taking place. He also challenged the government to examine earlier findings concerning the NICE project rather than dismissing his objections as political provocation.

The Union Minister questioned the legality and continuation of toll collection on the NICE Road, claiming that the project had not followed the agreed toll framework. He also raised the issue of compensation for farmers whose land was acquired for the project, alleging that some had remained unpaid even after two decades. Kumaraswamy pointed to a House Committee headed by senior Congress leader T.B. Jayachandra that examined the NICE project in 2016 and urged the Karnataka government to make its report public. He also rejected suggestions that he should approach the Centre with a formal request to end toll collection.

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The remarks drew a strong response from the Congress camp. Former Congress MP D.K. Suresh accused political opponents of attempting to provoke the public and create a confrontation with the state government. He questioned why Kumaraswamy was focusing specifically on the NICE toll and challenged him to call for opposition to toll payments at all toll plazas if he was genuinely against toll collection. Karnataka Municipal Administration Minister H.C. Balakrishna also criticised Kumaraswamy, accusing him of attempting to damage the reputation of Chief Minister Shivakumar.

Balakrishna said the toll issue was already before the courts and could not be resolved immediately through a government order. He said Shivakumar had constituted a committee to examine the matter and that he was among its members. According to Balakrishna, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy are leading the committee, with the government expected to take a decision after its report. The government has maintained that the matter requires due consideration rather than an immediate halt to toll collection.

The controversy has also drawn criticism from Karnataka Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, who backed demands to stop toll collection and alleged irregularities in the NICE project. Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy has urged motorists not to pay the toll, a call that has reportedly contributed to confrontations between motorists and toll plaza staff. He has also alleged that toll rates were revised beyond the prescribed framework and described the broader Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project as a major scam, allegations rejected by the Congress government and NICE officials. The dispute continues to centre on toll collection, land acquisition, compensation and the implementation of the long-running infrastructure project.

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