Bengaluru, Nov 3 Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday alleged that a section within the Congress in Karnataka was trying to “politically eliminate” former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and had warned that people would deliver their verdict against the ruling party in the 2028 Assembly elections.
The JD(S) leader clarified that his remarks were born out of concern for the state and its future rather than sympathy for Siddaramaiah, who has been his long-time rival.
He cited reports that Siddaramaiah recently met top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to report a fake sting operation designed by party insiders to tarnish his image and sought the latter’s intervention to uncover the truth.
Siddaramaiah also reportedly expressed displeasure about the ongoing investigation and conveyed to Rahul that if attempts to damage his image continued, he might take a tough stand and stay away from campaigning in the coming elections, including the2028 Assembly polls.
“Some people in the Congress are trying to finish off Siddaramaiah politically today and have now set out to play a new political game. As a consequence, people will take a decision in 2028,” Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said he was raising the issue out of concern over the developments in Karnataka and not out of any personal or political sympathy for the former CM.
“I have fought against Siddaramaiah. I am not speaking out of sympathy for him. I want to tell the people of the state that I am not making these statements out of jealousy because a person from our community (Vokkaliga) has become Chief Minister (D K Shivakumar). I am speaking out of pain over the unfortunate situation the state has landed in. Understand what will happen to this state if this continues,” he added.
Asked about reports that Siddaramaiah had warned the Congress high command, Kumaraswamy said he had received information that the former CM had strongly conveyed his concerns to the party leadership.
“There are reports that he has firmly warned the high command. It is also being reported that he asked Rahul Gandhi whether he should continue or not in 2028,” he said.
Questioning the direction of the investigation, the JD(S) leader alleged that the police, rather than focusing on the perpetrators of the alleged sting operation, were looking into other things.
“It’s like a murder has taken place. The alleged killers have been let off, and those who filmed it have also been spared. But the police are displaying their might against those who raised their voices against the murder that took place,” he said.
According to Kumaraswamy, the inquiry was being derailed due to pressure from the CM and the Home Minister (Priyank Kharge), and the police were acting according to their directions.
He said Siddaramaiah had repeatedly demanded the arrest of those allegedly behind the sting operation and had also pressed the Congress high command on the issue.
“What Siddaramaiah is saying is exactly what I am also saying. But the investigation is being diverted due to pressure from the Chief Minister and the Home Minister. The police are dancing to their tune,” he alleged.
Insisting that he only wanted the investigation to proceed in the right direction, Kumaraswamy questioned the police action in connection with the alleged filming in Kerala.
Dismissing Priyank Kharge’s demand for evidence for claims made by him regarding the sting operation case, the Union Minister said Kharge was unfit to be the Home Minister if he cannot uncover the truth.
“Am I the Home Minister? Is the Home Department in my hands? Is intelligence in my hands? Why do you have the power? If you are unable to find out, you are unfit to be a Home Minister. For everything, if you ask us for evidence, why are you here? We are seeing the way you are handling the probe,” he said, expressing displeasure.
To another query regarding upcoming bypolls to Hiriyur Assembly segment, Kumaraswamy said the JD(S) workers are of the opinion that NDA candidate should be from their party.
“Extensive discussions were held with prominent leaders of the Kadugolla community and senior party leaders regarding preparations for the Hiriyur bypolls. The opinion of our party workers is to field a consensus NDA candidate from JD(S) in the Hiriyur Assembly by-election. I have held discussions with BJP leaders at the Centre. The decision will be made through mutual agreement and coordination between both parties,” he said.
(PTI News)
