“The plan was to target around 10 ministers, monitor their day-to-day activities, catch them in compromising situations and embarrass the government,” Gowda alleged. He maintained that no minister had participated in or succumbed to the alleged attempts.
Claiming to possess documents related to the operation, the MLA said the evidence would be made public soon. “Very soon, we will present the evidence before you, including videos, audio recordings and photographs,” he said, displaying the pen drive.
Gowda also cautioned his cabinet colleagues to remain vigilant against possible attempts to entrap them, alleging that the operation was intended to create trouble for the Shivakumar government.
Turning to the Opposition, he accused it of raising “baseless” issues instead of addressing farmers’ concerns amid drought conditions in Karnataka. “There is a drought today, farmers are facing difficulties, and yet nobody is talking about their problems,” he said, warning that the Opposition would face the consequences of neglecting farmers’ concerns.
Asked about JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy’s remarks on the alleged operation, Gowda declined to comment. Kumaraswamy had challenged Shivakumar to identify the alleged ‘godfather’ behind the sting operation and register a case against those involved.
Gowda reiterated that he would ask the chief minister to examine the documents in his possession, describing the matter as serious and saying such incidents should not occur in the state.
With PTI inputs
About the Author
