Bengaluru: The Jindal land deal has put Karnataka government in the face of heavy criticism. Many now believe that chief minister HD Kumaraswamy is trying to pass on the blame to the BJP.

Reacting to BJP's protest against Kumaraswamy government's decision to sell 3,667 acres of land to JSW, Kumaraswamy said that even Yeddyurappa had gained from JSW, when he was in power.

Kumaraswamy alleged that Yeddyurappa had received a cheque of Rs 20 crore from Jindal when he was the chief minister of Karnataka.

Reacting to this, Yeddyurappa and son Vijayendra lashed out at Kumaraswamy and said that this allegation doesn't suit the dignity of a chief minister.

“I want to question Yeddyurappa on him receiving Rs 20 crore from the same Jindal company - when he was in power. Why did Jindal give him a cheque of Rs 20 crore? Isn't it Yeddyurappa who leased the land out to Jindal?”, Kumaraswamy questioned.

Led by party state president BS Yeddyurappa, the Karnataka BJP staged a protest on June 13 and then organised a sit-in protest on June 15 and June 16. They accused the Karnataka government of receiving kickbacks from Jindal.

Meanwhile, Congress leader and water resources minister DK Shivakumar has openly supported the land deal with Jindal.

Following many protests, and criticism from the public, currently, the Karnataka government has referred its decision to a Cabinet sub-committee for reconsideration of the proposal.

FKCCI supports Jindal deal

The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has said that the Karnataka government should abide by the agreement with Jindal that was signed in 1995.

Speaking to reporters, Sudhakar S Shetty, president of FKCCI they had conducted a joint survey with JSW Steel Limited on June 8, 2019. The outcome of the survey stated that 25,000 people are directly employed, and 2 lakh people are indirectly employed by JSW Steel with its 12 units of JSW steel and its ancillary functioning.

In addition, it stated that of the total 7,742.06 acres of land, till 2003, only 4,074.75 acres had been transferred and the remaining 3,667.31 acres of land is yet to be handed over

Initially the industry had signed a 10-year lease-cum-sale deed agreement. FKCCI even opined that the government should not increase rates or impose new rules as it will lead to alteration in the agreement clause.