The Congress high command has officially intervened in a brewing controversy, directing the Karnataka government to launch a formal investigation into suspected sting operations targeting high-ranking officials. The directive follows alarming reports that Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan were potentially targeted by individuals attempting to record private meetings using sophisticated surveillance technology.
The controversy emerged after Chief Minister Shivakumar raised concerns regarding a meeting with a businessman. According to the Chief Minister, an official had arranged an appointment for the visitor to discuss business-related matters. However, Shivakumar noted that the individual soon shifted the conversation toward sensitive political topics and electoral psephology. The Chief Minister grew suspicious of the visitor’s behavior and the specific eyewear he was sporting, which appeared to be Meta AI smart glasses.
Speaking to a regional Kannada television channel, Shivakumar detailed his concerns regarding the encounter. “An officer had fixed an appointment for a businessman to meet me. He took me to the ante-chamber and opened his laptop,” Shivakumar stated. “I grew suspicious of him, looking at his face and glasses he was wearing, and I asked for an inquiry to be conducted on him and his background,” he added. The same individual had reportedly also met with Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, prompting broader concerns within the party leadership.
This incident follows a series of warnings issued by the Karnataka Chief Minister to his cabinet colleagues regarding potential efforts by external elements to trap senior leaders through covert recording tactics. In response to the growing unease, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge spoke to the media, noting that the use of recording devices during formal meetings with senior government officials is considered unethical. Kharge stressed that individuals meeting with high-ranking dignitaries must adhere to established security and professional protocols.
This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced involving the Chief Minister. Approximately a fortnight ago, during a trip to New Delhi, Shivakumar claimed he had been the target of a similar sting attempt shortly after assuming his current office. The timing of these recent allegations has added a new layer of tension to state politics. These claims follow public accusations made by Union Minister and JD(S) state president H.D. Kumaraswamy, who had recently alleged that Shivakumar himself was adept at orchestrated political surveillance.
As the state government prepares to investigate, the focus remains on identifying the background of the businessman involved and determining whether the attempted recordings were part of a larger, coordinated effort to compromise state leadership. The Congress high command’s involvement signals that the party is taking these security concerns seriously, moving to protect its senior officials from what it views as a malicious breach of political and personal privacy.
Moving forward, the investigation is expected to examine the vetting processes for visitors meeting with top-level cabinet members. With the government now involved, officials are expected to tighten security measures, ensuring that the sanctity of discussions within the Chief Minister's office is maintained. No further details on the specific identity of the businessman or the timeline of the inquiry have been disclosed by the government at this stage.
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