Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday alleged that former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was forced to step down from the post after his then deputy and current Chief Minister DK Shivakumar conducted a “sting operation” against him.
Kumaraswamy claimed that Shivakumar obtained material through the purported sting operation and subsequently used it to exert pressure on Siddaramaiah to relinquish the Chief Minister’s post. The JDS leader, however, did not disclose what the alleged sting operation involved or provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
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The allegation comes months after Karnataka witnessed a prolonged power-sharing tussle within the Congress, eventually resulting in Shivakumar replacing Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister in June.
Kumaraswamy claimed that Siddaramaiah did not leave the Chief Minister’s post voluntarily and was instead compelled to step down after the alleged sting operation by Shivakumar.
According to the Union Minister, the purported operation was used as leverage against Siddaramaiah, eventually forcing him to give up the post.
Kumaraswamy made the allegation while commenting on the latest political developments in Karnataka and the relationship between the two senior Congress leaders.
The Union Minister, however, did not publicly disclose details of the alleged operation, including when it was carried out, what it purportedly captured or what material was allegedly used against Siddaramaiah.
Shivakumar was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister on June 3, replacing Siddaramaiah after the Congress leadership brought an end to a prolonged leadership dispute. Shivakumar had served as Siddaramaiah’s deputy since the Congress returned to power in Karnataka in 2023.
The transition followed months of speculation over a power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. It was preceded by months of public and behind-the-scenes speculation over the two leaders’ competing claims to the top post. Supporters of both leaders had repeatedly voiced their positions, keeping the leadership question alive within the Karnataka Congress.
When submitting his resignation in late May, Siddaramaiah said he had resigned when asked to do so by the Congress leadership and that he would continue in active politics.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
