Usha, wife of CM DK Shivakumar, applies tilak on his forehead during Ayudha Puja celebrations
Bengaluru: Chief minister DK Shivakumar ’s silence on Union minister HD Kumaraswamy ’s allegations over the sting operation controversy has not only baffled many but has also left the govt looking lame. Ministers HC Balakrishna and N Cheluvarayaswamy are the only ones from Congress countering the JD(S) state president, while the rest of the cabinet has stayed away from the row. A week ago, the cabinet empowered Shivakumar to decide on a probe into the case linked to former CM Siddaramaiah , but he is yet to make a call. Sources say the govt may announce a special investigation team (SIT) after Dasara to defuse the situation. Kumaraswamy has questioned the circumstances of the controversy, made allegations against Congress brass and demanded a probe. But Shivakumar has refused to engage with him. His restraint is striking, especially for a politician known for hitting back at opponents.
Shivakumar had said he had evidence of an attempt to target him through a sting operation and would hand over documents for an inquiry. But with no further word from him, the opposition has had room to keep the govt on the defensive. Claims by political functionaries have not established who organised or financed any such operation. Balakrishna and Cheluvaraswamy have countered Kumaraswamy’s charges, but their interventions have barely matched the sustained pressure from the Union minister.
The cabinet discussed the issue for over an hour on Oct 15 but left the next step to Shivakumar.
“Rather than a sign of weakness, Shivakumar’s silence may reflect a decision to leave the matter to investigators,” said Vishwas Shetty, a political commentator. The lid blew off the controversy after Shivakumar allegedly warned colleagues of attempts to trap ministers and officials through sting operations at a recent cabinet meeting. Kumaraswamy has sought to portray the change of chief minister as an internal manoeuvre, a narrative Congress rejects. Siddaramaiah has called the video controversy a malicious attempt to damage his reputation, and a court has restrained circulation of the disputed videos. None of this amounts to a finding that Kumaraswamy’s allegations are true. “But the strategy will be hard to sustain if Kumaraswamy keeps dominating the debate while only two ministers rebut him. A SIT may help, but the decisive factor will be whether investigators establish the facts and the govt communicates them transparently. ”