DK Suresh
Bengaluru: Former MP DK Suresh, brother of chief minister DK Shivakumar , Saturday demanded a state govt-initiated probe into alleged sting operations in Karnataka , saying the investigation should identify those behind them and establish whether any Union minister was involved.
Reacting to Shivakumar’s claim that attempts were made to trap him in a sting operation after he assumed office, Suresh said the truth must come out. “Some people have lost their minds and need treatment,” Suresh said. Later, speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said attempts had been made to trap him after he became chief minister and claimed he knew who was behind them. Asked about Kumaraswamy’s allegation that a sting operation was used to force Siddaramaiah out of office, PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi said he had no information about it. He said minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan had met Siddaramaiah three times, while he and others had met him less frequently even when Siddaramaiah was chief minister.
He also took a swipe at those repeatedly making allegations, without naming Union minister HD Kumaraswamy who has accused Shivakumar of using a sting operation to force Siddaramaiah to step down as chief minister. During a cabinet meeting last week, Shivakumar cautioned ministers to remain alert to possible sting operations. Home minister Priyank Kharge challenged BJP functionaries to file a formal complaint if they wanted the allegations investigated. He accused the Centre of attempting to tarnish the state govt’s image through central investigating agencies and sting operations, adding that relevant information would be disclosed at an appropriate time. Jarkiholi also dismissed speculation about the need for secret meetings with Siddaramaiah, saying the former CM remained their leader and could be met at any time.