Kumaraswamy Dares Shivakumar: Break Silence on Sting, Face Probe

H.D. Kumaraswamy, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader, on Tuesday demanded a probe into Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's alleged meeting with an unidentified person at a private hotel in Vasanthnagar, Bengaluru, two or three days before a Cabinet meeting. Kumaraswamy also questioned Shivakumar's continued silence on a sting operation, calling for transparency and accountability.

The demand comes amid escalating political tensions in Karnataka, where the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has faced repeated allegations from the opposition. Kumaraswamy, who served as Chief Minister in a coalition government with the Congress from 2018 to 2019, has been a vocal critic of the current administration. The alleged hotel meeting, if confirmed, could raise questions about potential conflicts of interest or backchannel dealings ahead of key Cabinet decisions. Neither Shivakumar nor the Congress party has issued an official response to the allegations.

The development is likely to further strain relations between the JD(S) and Congress, which are partners in the opposition INDIA bloc at the national level but rivals in Karnataka. Political analysts suggest that Kumaraswamy's demand could pressure Shivakumar, a powerful Congress leader and a potential future Chief Minister candidate, to address the allegations publicly. The BJP, which has been targeting the Congress government over corruption issues, may seize on the controversy to demand a judicial probe. The next steps will depend on whether Shivakumar responds to the allegations or the state government orders an inquiry.