Karnataka CM should clarify sting operation claims: BYV

“Rather than making vague allegations, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar should clarify who is trying to conduct sting operations on his Ministers,” BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra said in Bagalkot on Thursday.

“The Chief Minister has reportedly warned his Ministers against attempts at sting operations. He should be clearer. Who is conducting these operations? What is he afraid of? What should the Ministers be afraid of? No one will fully understand what he means if he makes vague statements,” he told reporters.

“The people of the State know exactly who conducted sting operations. Everyone knows who conducted a sting operation in the case of former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi. People are also talking about various conspiracies behind the ED searches on Minister Satish Jarkiholi. Some say he had to face them because he openly expressed his ambition of becoming the next Chief Minister. Should we understand that some leaders are conducting such operations against their own legislators?” he said.

Mr. Vijayendra said Mr. Shivakumar had claimed that the Congress would return to power in 2028 and that he would assume charge as Chief Minister.

“I have no objection to D.K. Shivakumar becoming the Chief Minister. But I would like to ask him to focus on governance rather than making claims about sting operations. We can see that some senior Congress leaders such as former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, H.K. Patil, Basavaraj Rayareddy and B.R. Patil are upset with the style of governance. Going by their statements, it appears they are planning an internal rebellion. If that happens, forget ruling the State, Mr. Shivakumar will not be able to carry on with his real-estate business in peace,” Mr. Vijayendra said.

“All around us, we hear that the State has become bankrupt. The KSRTC Managing Director has written to the Finance Department saying the corporation is unable to pay staff salaries as the State government owes it more than ₹6,500 crore. Mr. Shivakumar should fix such issues first,” Mr. Vijayendra said.