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DK Shivakumar’s allegations add a new twist to Karnataka’s ongoing sting-operation controversy (Img: X)
Karnataka: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has alleged that an industrialist wearing Meta smart glasses may have attempted to secretly record him and Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan. The claim has added a new dimension to the ongoing political controversy over alleged sting operations targeting Congress leaders in Karnataka.
Shivakumar said the industrialist had arranged a meeting through officials and initially discussed business matters. However, the conversation reportedly shifted towards politics, including booth-level strategies, prompting him to suspect that something was amiss.
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Moreover, Shivakumar said he asked officials to examine the visitor's background. According to him, the information gathered suggested that the industrialist had worn Meta smart glasses during meetings with him and Satheesan but not during meetings with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and a Union minister.
“He wore the Meta glasses only when he came to me and Satheesan,” Shivakumar claimed.
He did not identify the industrialist or present publicly verifiable evidence that a recording had taken place. He also declined to disclose the names of those he believes were involved, saying records had been maintained and that the details would be revealed at an appropriate time.
The allegations come amid a political dispute over purported sting-operation videos linked to former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has alleged that the videos were used as part of an attempt to force Siddaramaiah out of office. Shivakumar has denied orchestrating such an operation.
The controversy intensified after Shivakumar reportedly cautioned Cabinet colleagues about possible attempts to entrap political leaders through intermediaries, phone calls and other methods.
Congress MLA Ravi Kumar Ganiga also alleged that a Union minister and a Karnataka BJP leader had financed an agency to target ministers and the Chief Minister's Office. These claims remain allegations.
A Bengaluru court has granted an interim injunction restricting the circulation of two disputed videos. The wider controversy remains unresolved, with questions persisting over who was behind the alleged operations and their intended political purpose.
