Bengaluru, March 3: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed allegations from opposition leaders R. Ashoka and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy regarding phone tapping aimed at monitoring Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar. He labeled these claims as “baseless” and politically motivated.
In a statement to the media, Siddaramaiah compared the accusations to the saying, “the thief thinks everyone else is a thief,” suggesting they stem from desperation.
He alleged that since Congress regained power in the state, opposition leaders have been trying to create a rift between him and Shivakumar. “No matter how much they attempt to sow discord, it will not affect our strong relationship,” he asserted, emphasizing their commitment to the party’s high command.
Siddaramaiah reiterated that the Congress party operates with internal democracy and is neither driven by fear nor dominated by a single family. He pointed out that the accusers have previously held significant positions, including Chief Minister and Home Minister, during which the Intelligence Department operated under them. He suggested that their claims reflect their own past experiences in office.
The Chief Minister accused the BJP and JDS of spreading falsehoods to undermine his relationship with Shivakumar. He noted that Shivakumar has faced numerous legal challenges and even imprisonment, yet he has remained loyal to the Congress party despite political pressures.
Referencing Karnataka’s recent political history, Siddaramaiah highlighted events like “Operation Kamala,” resort politics, and frequent leadership changes as outcomes of distrust and conspiracies within opposition parties. He noted that there were five Chief Ministers from 2004 to 2013 and three from 2018 to 2023.
He also recalled past allegations of phone tapping during Kumaraswamy’s tenure as Chief Minister in 2018, when claims emerged that phones of various religious leaders were tapped, with investigations later revealing multiple phones under surveillance.
Criticizing the central government, Siddaramaiah accused it of misusing agencies like the police, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and Income Tax Department against political opponents. He stated that neither he nor his party leaders would bow to threats.
The Chief Minister urged Kumaraswamy and Ashoka to function as a constructive opposition rather than engaging in what he termed “bad politics.” He expressed confidence that the Congress government would complete its five-year term despite attempts by the opposition to destabilize it.
Siddaramaiah concluded by stating that the people of Karnataka have given a clear mandate for Congress to govern, and the Chief Minister will remain from the Congress party.
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