Bengaluru, 07 Oct (H.S.):

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday sharply criticised Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over his warning that opposition parties were allegedly engaging private agencies to conduct sting operations targeting influential ministers in his government.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy alleged that some Congress leaders had claimed Shivakumar became Chief Minister after conducting a sting operation against his predecessor, Siddaramaiah. He did not identify the leaders or provide evidence supporting the allegation.

Kumaraswamy further accused Shivakumar of reviving what he described as his earlier methods and using similar tactics to keep ministers under control. The Union Minister’s remarks challenged the Chief Minister’s account of an alleged opposition campaign directed at members of his Cabinet.

The exchange followed Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, where Shivakumar reportedly cautioned ministers about covert operations being carried out by two teams. According to the account, he said ministers’ movements were being closely monitored and warned them to remain vigilant.

Shivakumar’s warning suggested that private agencies were allegedly involved in attempts to target prominent members of the government. He reportedly accused opposition parties of undertaking extensive preparations behind the scenes to facilitate such operations.

However, the information provided did not identify the agencies, the ministers allegedly being targeted or the opposition parties purportedly involved. Details of the two teams mentioned during the Cabinet meeting were also unavailable.

Kumaraswamy responded by directing allegations at Shivakumar himself, claiming that the Chief Minister was employing covert tactics to exercise control over his colleagues.

Neither Kumaraswamy’s allegation concerning Siddaramaiah nor the claims about ongoing sting operations were accompanied by supporting material in the statements described.

The dispute centres on competing allegations over the purpose and origin of the purported operations, with Shivakumar attributing them to opposition activity and Kumaraswamy accusing the Chief Minister of using such methods within his own government against ministers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman