Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met with Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the latter’s newly constructed residence in Mysuru on Friday night. The meeting, which took place against a backdrop of escalating political tension, comes as the ruling Congress party navigates a controversy surrounding a purported sting operation involving the Deputy Chief Minister.
This high-level consultation follows a series of developments earlier in the week. On Friday, Chief Minister Shivakumar met with Home Minister Priyank Kharge at his Sadashivanagar residence to discuss the status of the investigation. During this briefing, the Chief Minister confirmed that the case has been referred to the Home Department. Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar stated that he has left the entire matter to the department’s discretion, emphasizing that the truth would eventually prevail regardless of the allegations made by political opponents.
The controversy has become a significant point of friction between the state government and the Opposition. Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has been a vocal critic, staging a protest at the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner’s office on October 15. Kumaraswamy has accused specific individuals, including Rakesh Shetty, of playing a central role in the operation, which he claims is a political conspiracy linked to the Congress high command. Following an assurance from the Police Commissioner that all involved parties would be investigated, Kumaraswamy called off his protest but issued a two-day deadline for the arrest of the accused, warning that the JDS would initiate statewide demonstrations if no action is taken.
In response to these developments, the state government has firmly rejected demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Home Minister Priyank Kharge maintained that the Karnataka Police, specifically the Cyber Crime department, is fully capable of handling the investigation. The matter was also reportedly addressed during a cabinet meeting on October 15, where officials agreed that further action would depend on the evidence gathered by investigators.
Amidst the mounting pressure, legal measures have also been taken. Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has approached the courts regarding the circulation of the videos. He has successfully secured interim relief against the dissemination of what his team describes as unverified and defamatory material. Meanwhile, prominent ministers including M B Patil and Krishna Byre Gowda have visited Siddaramaiah at his official residence in a show of support.
As the two-day deadline set by the Opposition approaches, the focus remains on the state police’s handling of the case. The meeting between the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister is seen as a strategic move to coordinate the party’s response to the ongoing political storm. With the JDS scheduled to hold a meeting of its legislators and leaders to decide on their next course of action, the situation remains fluid.
The current impasse highlights the broader political confrontation within Karnataka. While the government maintains its reliance on local investigative agencies, the Opposition continues to press for external intervention. The next few days are expected to be critical as the investigation progresses and the government determines its response to the demands posed by the Opposition.
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