New Delhi, Oct 23, 2026 13:01 ISTKarnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar alleged that a sting operation was attempted against him and Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, noting that the targets were Congress leaders rather than chief ministers from the Bharatiya Janata Party or its NDA allies. The claims, made during an interview with a Kannada broadcaster, injected a fresh layer of controversy into the political storm surrounding alleged sting operations in Karnataka.
DK Shivakumar stated that an industrialist who secured an appointment to see him wore Meta smart glasses, which immediately aroused his suspicion and led him to investigate the visitor's subsequent movements and political meetings. Speaking to Asianet Suvarna News, the Karnataka Chief Minister asserted that the episode was part of a broader coordinated effort designed to ensnare him and other senior Congress leaders.
The revelations arrived amid mounting tensions over disputed sting-operation videos linked to former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a dispute that has sparked fierce cross-party allegations regarding conspiracies and political motivations. When questioned about why formal action had not been publicly pursued against the individuals who allegedly tried to entrap him, Shivakumar indicated that authorities had implemented necessary safeguards without publicizing the specifics.
Recounting the suspicious encounter, Shivakumar explained that the visitor had initially used official channels to set up a meeting under the guise of discussing business matters before abruptly pivoting the conversation toward electoral strategies and political developments. That abrupt shift in dialogue, combined with the visitor's eyewear, prompted the Chief Minister to order a background check through his administrative staff.
According to Shivakumar's intelligence gathering, the same visitor wore the identical Meta glasses during an interaction with Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, but notably refrained from wearing them while meeting Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and a Union minister. The Karnataka leader did not publicly disclose the identity of the industrialist or produce verifiable evidence supporting the recording claim.
Shivakumar mentioned that he had gathered actionable intelligence regarding potential culprits and cautioned his Cabinet colleagues to remain vigilant against entrapment schemes involving personal assistants, phone calls, and other vectors. Although he claimed to possess documentation and records concerning the incidents, he indicated that the timing was not right to reveal names or evidence publicly.
The latest allegations unfold against the backdrop of a severe political dispute in Karnataka centered on leaked video clips tied to Siddaramaiah, which opponents claim were weaponized to force him from office. Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief HD Kumaraswamy accused Shivakumar of orchestrating the operation against Siddaramaiah, an allegation firmly denied by the Congress party.
In response to the fallout, Siddaramaiah secured a court injunction blocking the spread of the contentious footage while a police investigation proceeds. While opposition parties continue to demand transparency regarding the political scandals, Shivakumar maintained that the government has taken adequate precautions to protect its leadership while keeping further disclosures close to the chest.