Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his newly built residence in Mysuru on Friday night, amid political controversy over a purported sting operation involving
the Deputy CM.
The meeting comes at a politically sensitive time for the ruling Congress in Karnataka, as the alleged sting operation has sparked a row.
The meeting assumes significance against the backdrop of the controversy, with its potential political implications likely to draw attention within the Congress party.
This comes after CM Shivakumar handed over the investigation into the alleged sting operation involving former CM Siddaramaiah to the Home Department. His remarks came on Friday as he met Home Minister Priyank Kharge at his Sadashivanagar residence amid mounting political tensions over the case.
“I have left the entire matter to the Home Department. They are handling it,” Shivakumar told reporters at Vidhana Soudha when asked about the probe.
Declining to elaborate on the controversy, he said, “Time will answer everything. Let him (Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy) make any kind of allegation. We are least bothered about it. The truth will remain. No one can rubbish the truth. We will answer at the appropriate time.”
Kharge briefed Shivakumar on the progress of the police investigation and other developments related to the case, sources said. The two leaders left the meeting together in the same car.
The meeting comes amid a heated exchange between Kumaraswamy and Kharge over the handling of the investigation. The Opposition has demanded the arrest of those allegedly involved in the sting operation and called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
Kumaraswamy Gives Police Two-Day Deadline
Kumaraswamy staged a protest at the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner’s office on October 15, demanding the arrest of Rakesh Shetty, whom he has accused of playing a key role in the alleged sting operation. He called off the protest after the Police Commissioner assured him that everyone involved would be investigated.
However, the Union minister has given the police two days to arrest the key accused, warning that the JDS would launch statewide protests if they failed to act. The party is scheduled to hold a meeting of its MLAs and leaders on Saturday to decide its next course of action.
Kumaraswamy has alleged that the sting operation was part of a political conspiracy and claimed that those involved had links with the Congress high command.
Meanwhile, ministers M B Patil and Krishna Byre Gowda, both considered close aides of Siddaramaiah, met the former chief minister at his official residence, Cauvery.
Karnataka Govt Favours Ongoing Police Probe
The controversy was also reportedly discussed at the Cabinet meeting on October 15. Further action would be considered after investigators examined the available evidence.
Kharge has rejected Kumaraswamy’s demand for a CBI investigation, maintaining that the Karnataka Police would handle the case.
The Cyber Crime police are investigating the matter, which has triggered allegations and counter-allegations involving several political leaders. Siddaramaiah has also approached the court over the circulation of the videos and secured interim relief against the dissemination of unverified and allegedly defamatory material.
With Kumaraswamy’s deadline approaching, the investigation’s progress and the government’s response to the Opposition’s demands are expected to determine the next phase of the political confrontation.
