Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 5: State Congress leaders, who were demanding jail term for controversial businessman Ashok Kheny in the NICE 'scam', inducted him into the party on Monday March 5.

Kheny owns the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) which built a ring road around Bengaluru city. He is an independent MLA from Bidar South Assembly seat in Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah who welcomed the businessman to Congress, had in fact constituted a joint legislative committee to probe allegations of irregularities against Kheny’s company just a year back.

The NICE 'scam' is pegged at over Rs 1 lac crore and Kheny is accused of grabbing farm lands for road projects and also diverting land for private illegal townships along the NICE road. The Congress government had also recommended serious criminal action against Kheny.

However, his induction into the party came as a shock to many, and sources reveal that many within the party vehemently opposed the move.

The worst affected is former CM the late Dharam Singh’s son-in-law Chandra Singh who was a Congress ticket aspirant from Kheny’s constituency. "Kheny is corrupt and won in 2013 only due to his money power. I have already started my campaign and will go to the party high command for justice," he said.

However, CM Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mysuru airport that there was no opposition from anyone in Congress regarding Kheny’s induction.

Party sources reveal that Kheny was inducted as he is from Lingayat community and can easily get Lingayat votes and also Kuruba community votes as the CM is a Kuruba by caste.

A BJP leader mocked the Congress for inducting Kheny, stating that they only want him for his resources, which will provide solid financial backing to the party.

Twitterati lashes out at Kheny

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Dr G Prameshwara’s tweet "MLA Shri Ashok Kheny @Ashok_Kheny joined @INCKarnataka today at the KPCC office. On behalf of all the members of our Congress party, I warmly welcome Shri Ashok Kheny. Looking forward to more path breaking works!" received backlash from twitterati.

MLA Shri Ashok Kheny @Ashok_Kheny joined @INCKarnataka today at the KPCC office. On behalf of all the members of our Congress party, I warmly welcome Shri Ashok Kheny. Looking forward to more pathbreaking works! pic.twitter.com/ceJMLOOSRm

— Dr. G Parameshwara (@DrParameshwara) March 5, 2018

Many ridiculed that Kheny will be funding Congress and termed him as their 'new bank'.

BIDAR DAKSHIN JANATE not accepted pic.twitter.com/VVsokE2IZY

— MUJEEB QUADRI (@MUJEEBQUADRI4) March 5, 2018

U hv chosen a failed person ,
Next time if he comes to Bidar North , ppl will welcome him with chapal & Sandal ,

Of course he has money which U ppl can utilize it for ur election , @IncomeTaxIndia @dir_ed @hd_kumaraswamy Ur Person will win North Bidar without doubt

— Kumar (@k_kumar66) March 5, 2018

??? ??????????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????????????

— Raju A,S (@RakeshAS14) March 5, 2018