Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar has alleged that an attempt was made to conduct a sting operation on him and Kerala CM VD Satheesan.
In an interview with Asianet Suvarna News, Shivakumar said that he was targeted by an industrialist visitor who came to meet him wearing Meta AI glasses. He said that it triggered his suspicions and that an inquiry was conducted into the man’s background, which subsequently revealed the wider details of an attempt to target political leaders.
“I have a special power given to me by God. Just by looking at someone’s face, I can understand why he has come to meet me and what his intentions might be. I know how to read faces,"Shivakumar told the news broadcaster.
He said that the visitor initially discussed business but later moved to a private room and then opened a laptop and began speaking about politics.
He said that the individual wore the glasses while meeting him and Karnataka minister Satish Jarkiholi, but not during the meetings with other prominent political figures.
Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Kumaraswamy alleged that the 2011 clips were used to oust Siddaramaiah from his post.
When asked why no action was taken, the chief minister said, "Who said no action was being taken? You simply don't know. We are not making it public. All other precautionary measures have been taken," the Karnataka Chief Minister said.
The CM did not reveal the identity of the individual or information on whether the interview with him was recorded. He said that he received information about the people who could be involved and warned his colleagues to be vigilant about attempts to entrap them.
He said, "The government is like a family, and as its head, I have to caution my cabinet ministers so that they do not fall prey to anyone's tricks."
He said that he has kept records of the incident and that when the time come he will reveal everything about the case. "I have called them all and kept the records, not now. When the time is right, I will speak my mind." He added, "Now is not the time to speak."
The allegations by the minister come when there are ongoing accusations from the Congress and opposition parties over who was behind the alleged sting operation video involving Siddaramaiah. There are accusations of a criminal conspiracy to tarnish the former Chief Minister's image.
Ravi Kumar Ganiga, a Congress MLA from the state, claimed that a central minister and a Karnataka BJP leader had paid a private agency to target about 10 ministers and that CM.
Meanwhile, JDS leader Kumaraswamy accused the CM of orchestrating the sting operation against Siddaramaiah.
