MYSURU: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his residence in Mysuru on Friday night, October 16, amid the ongoing controversy surrounding an alleged sting operation involving the senior Congress leader.
Shivakumar made an unscheduled visit to Siddaramaiah’s newly built residence in Kuvempunagar after attending the Cauvery Aarti event at the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoir in Mandya district. The two leaders reportedly held a closed-door meeting over dinner, with neither publicly disclosing the details of their discussion.
According to reports, Shivakumar arrived at Siddaramaiah’s residence at around 10.16 pm and remained there until approximately 11.25 pm. He later left for Bengaluru around midnight.
The visit attracted attention within Karnataka’s political circles because it came amid heightened discussion over the alleged sting operation and the state government’s response to the controversy.
Meeting takes place amid sting operation controversy
The meeting comes at a time when the alleged sting operation involving Siddaramaiah has become a significant political issue in Karnataka. The controversy has prompted reactions from leaders across party lines and discussions within the ruling Congress government.
Siddaramaiah has reportedly challenged the circulation of videos and audio recordings allegedly featuring him, while seeking legal protection against their publication.
The Congress government has also discussed the issue at the Cabinet level. At a meeting earlier in the week, ministers deliberated on the controversy and the possible course of action. The government decided to continue with the existing investigation rather than immediately ordering a separate Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
The latest meeting between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah has therefore drawn attention, although neither leader has confirmed whether the sting operation was discussed during their private conversation.
Shivakumar skips scheduled Yuva Dasara event
Shivakumar’s visit to Siddaramaiah’s residence came after his participation in the Cauvery Aarti programme at KRS in Mandya district.
He had been scheduled to attend a Yuva Dasara event in Mysuru but reportedly skipped it to meet Siddaramaiah. The unexpected nature of the visit and the timing of the meeting added to the interest surrounding the interaction.
The two leaders did not make any public statement explaining the purpose of their discussion. As a result, the specific issues taken up during the meeting remain undisclosed.
Other Congress leaders meet Siddaramaiah
Shivakumar’s visit followed meetings between Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders in Mysuru.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara and other senior leaders were among those reported to have met the former Chief Minister amid the ongoing controversy. Home Minister G. Parameshwara’s visit was part of a series of interactions involving senior party figures.
The meetings come as the Congress government considers its response to the allegations surrounding the purported sting operation. Ministers have maintained that the investigation should proceed based on evidence and established procedures.
The controversy has also drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who have questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged recordings and the government’s handling of the matter.
Political significance remains unclear
Shivakumar’s closed-door meeting with Siddaramaiah has fuelled discussion about the political implications of the visit. However, in the absence of an official statement from either leader, the subjects discussed during the meeting cannot be independently established.
The immediate focus remains on the investigation into the alleged sting operation and the government’s decisions regarding any further action.
The meeting also underscores the continuing engagement between senior Congress leaders as the party navigates the controversy. Whether their discussion leads to any formal announcement or policy decision remains to be seen.
For now, neither Shivakumar nor Siddaramaiah has publicly outlined the outcome of the meeting, leaving the details of their conversation undisclosed.