Beware of sting ops, D K Shivakumar warns his ministers; H D Kumaraswamy says CM is the 'master' of it

Bengaluru: In a development that raised eyebrows in political circles, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is said to have warned his Cabinet colleagues against being ‘trapped’ in ‘sting operations’.

Shivakumar is said to have cautioned his ministers at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Two ministers confirmed Shivakumar’s warning.

“The intelligence department comes under the CM. I was the home minister for eight years, so I know how these things work. The CM has received some information from the intelligence department on the basis of which he has asked us to be careful,” Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said.

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According to Municipalities Minister H C Balakrishna, Shivakumar was referring to attempts by the Opposition to defame the government. “Of late, we’ve seen examples of how things from the past are dug up. So, the CM has asked us to remain vigilant and focus on our work,” he said.

Shivakumar’s warning to his ministers evoked a strong response from the BJP and JD(S).

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy described Shivakumar as a “master” of sting operations. He accused Shivakumar of wanting to keep his ministers “under control” via sting operations.

“Congress people are spreading news that Shivakumar got a sting operation done against Siddaramaiah. This was used to have Siddaramaiah removed as the CM,” Kumaraswamy claimed.

Kumaraswamy recalled senior Congress lawmakers K N Rajanna’s sensational claim in the Assembly in March last year that 48 politicians across parties were ‘victims’ of honey-trapping.

“Who conducted the sting operations? Who brought an end to the political careers of Ramesh Jarkiholi and Rajanna? [Shivakumar] has considerable experience in these matters. After doing all this, they are now trying to shift blame on the Opposition,” Kumaraswamy said. BJP's Ramesh Jarkiholi had to resign as the water resoruces minister in March 2021 after his sleaze video in an alleged 'sex for job' scandal became public.

BJP state president BY Vijayendra claimed that Shivakumar’s warning to ministers was to make sure that they do not get caught while making money. “And, I need not tell you the name of the person who has a history of conducting sting operations and blackmailing people. Ask any Congress MLA and they’ll tell you,” he said.