Kumaraswamy Accuses Shivakumar of Rs 600-Crore Plot Against Deve Gowda Family

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday accused Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of orchestrating an alleged Rs 600-crore deal to politically eliminate the family of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, demanding a thorough investigation into a controversial sting operation.

Kumaraswamy alleged that Shivakumar was behind a conspiracy targeting his family, asserting that the alleged deal was among several attempts to politically finish them off. He called for an investigation into the sting operation, which has triggered a political controversy in Karnataka. The issue gained prominence after Shivakumar claimed that attempts had been made to trap him after he became chief minister and cautioned his cabinet colleagues to remain vigilant.

Former chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah subsequently filed a police complaint over a defamatory social media post and sought an injunction restraining media organisations from publishing or airing related content.

His son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, said Congress workers, including a woman seeking a ticket from the Puttur Assembly constituency, were behind the alleged attempt. The detention of two JD(S) social media team workers angered Kumaraswamy, who accused the state police of targeting party workers while failing to pursue those allegedly responsible for the sting operation. He questioned the circumstances in which a person allegedly linked to the operation secured anticipatory bail.

Kumaraswamy said he would give the state government five more days to demonstrate progress in the investigation. He urged JD(S) workers to cooperate with police inquiries and hand over devices when required.

He also alleged that several illegal activities, including murders, had taken place at the media organisation involved in the sting operation, citing the alleged murder of a driver near Kolar. Questioning Home Minister Priyank Kharge over the investigation, Kumaraswamy said the authorities should establish the source of the alleged operation and identify those responsible.

He clarified that he had not specifically sought a meeting with Siddaramaiah but would meet the former chief minister if necessary. There was no immediate reaction from Shivakumar to Kumaraswamy's allegations. The claims regarding the alleged Rs 600-crore deal remain unsubstantiated in the report.