Accordingly even with the BJP threatening a state wide protest over the controversial Jindal Steel land deal, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy is unlikely to intervene in the government decision to hand over 3,667 acres of land with the iron ore to JS Steel Ltd in Ballari district after the expiry of lease period.
A source close to the CM told “Essentially, the issue has nothing to with the Chief Minister or his office. The deal was penned by the state industry department headed by the Industry Minister. Following this, there was a cabinet meeting in which it got clearance. All the specifics have been approved by the Industry Minister and the Chief Secretary”. The source added “On Monday, Congress leader HK Patil may meet the Chief Minister and express his objections to the deal but the latter will not change anything as seemingly there is nothing illegal (in the deal). The Chief Secretary has already given his approval”.
Moreover the BJP and a certain section of activists are opposing the lease and sale of 3,700 acre land to JSW Steel at a throwaway price. Perhaps even senior Congress leader HK Patil, too, has spoken publicly against the deal, embarrassing the state Congress leadership.
