A major political conflict has erupted in Karnataka as Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy leveled grave allegations against Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday. Kumaraswamy claimed that an assassination contract worth Rs 600 crore has been arranged to eliminate his family. The explosive statement has triggered sharp shockwaves across the southern state, escalating hostilities between key political figures.
Addressing reporters on October 25, Kumaraswamy launched a direct accusation against the state leadership, claiming that the sitting Chief Minister personally orchestrated a plan to destroy his family. Kumaraswamy asserted that several conspiracies had been hatched against his household, with the Rs 600-crore hit deal being one of them. He maintained that CM Shivakumar was behind multiple plots targeting his family. While these severe claims have not been independently verified and no formal explanation or documentary proof regarding the alleged Rs 600-crore deal has surfaced, the accusation has ignited a fierce storm across Karnataka's political landscape.
Connections to the Sting Operation Row and Power Transition
Kumaraswamy tied his latest claims to an ongoing controversy involving an alleged sting operation linked to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Calling for a thorough and transparent probe into the entire episode, the Union Minister raised questions over the functioning and attitude of the state government.
This is not the first instance of such allegations surfacing in the state. Kumaraswamy had previously alleged that Shivakumar utilized material from the covert sting operation to mount immense pressure on the Congress high command. According to Kumaraswamy, this calculated pressure forced Siddaramaiah to step down from the chief minister's chair, thereby clearing the path for Shivakumar to take over leadership of the government. However, that claim also remained an unproven political charge, with no verifiable evidence ever presented in the public domain.
Cabinet Warning Deepened Political Crossfire
The friction escalated further after Shivakumar cautioned his own ministerial colleagues to remain on high alert regarding potential sting operations. Following this internal advisory to the cabinet, intense blame games erupted over who commissioned the sting recordings and who was being systematically targeted through them.
The Congress party pushed back strongly, dismissing Kumaraswamy's charges as baseless mudslinging. The ruling party maintained that Shivakumar never orchestrated or commissioned any sting operation to remove Siddaramaiah from the top office. Shivakumar himself has categorically denied all allegations leveled against him. At the same time, Siddaramaiah has also personally demanded a comprehensive investigation into the entire controversy surrounding the sting operation.
Uncertainty Surrounds Karnataka's Political Landscape
Despite the intensifying war of words, crucial questions remain unresolved regarding who originally produced the disputed recordings, how they were disseminated, and whether they were actively deployed to sway key political outcomes in the state. The ongoing exchanges between the rival camps have compounded long-running instability in Karnataka politics.
Political temperatures have remained high ever since Siddaramaiah relinquished the chief minister's post and Shivakumar took charge. Both factions continue to trade heavy accusations, yet neither side has placed verified evidence before the public. Observers are now watching closely to see how this mounting friction and high-stakes confrontation will alter the balance of power in Karnataka's political sphere in the days ahead.
