# Karnataka Dy CM Parameshwara Says Sting Operations, Conspiracies Against Ministers Cannot Be Ruled Out

Speaking to reporters at Gunnala village in Koppal district, Parameshwara said the Chief Minister had an Intelligence wing that may have provided inputs about possible sting operations targeting members of the state Cabinet.

“The Chief Minister has an Intelligence wing with him, and he might also have received Intelligence inputs in this regard. Based on this, he might have told the ministers to be careful about sting operations,” Parameshwara said.

He said there could be attempts to bring disrepute to the government and suggested that Shivakumar's warning may have been issued in that context.

“There might be intentions and attempts to bring disrepute to the state government. In this backdrop, he might have cautioned the ministers,” he said.

Parameshwara, who served as Karnataka Home Minister for eight years, said intelligence agencies routinely provide inputs to the government and that the Chief Minister communicates such information to ministers when necessary.

“I was also Home Minister for eight years. We receive Intelligence inputs and, when we get reports, the Chief Minister communicates accordingly,” he said.

He added that Shivakumar may have received information indicating that sting agencies were targeting Congress ministers and had therefore advised them to remain cautious.

Asked specifically whether conspiracies could be involved, Parameshwara said such a possibility could not be dismissed.

“There are chances. I won't rule it out. There might be conspiracies. These developments are likely to happen. Why don't they happen? They will happen,” he said.

His remarks came amid concerns within the ruling Congress over alleged attempts to target ministers and senior leaders through central agencies and sting operations. The issue gained prominence after Shivakumar cautioned ministers and claimed that attempts had previously been made to trap him after he became Chief Minister.

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge separately alleged that the Centre was making efforts to destabilise the Congress government in the state. He claimed that agencies including the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation, along with sting operations, were being used for this purpose.

Kharge said he was unaware of the source of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's information, but claimed that the Chief Minister and senior ministers had received inputs about alleged attempts by central agencies to undermine the government.

“I don't know from where Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy got his information. But the information that has come to the Chief Minister and senior ministers is that the IT, ED or any other agency has attempted to somehow bring down this government,” Kharge said.

Kumaraswamy has alleged that Shivakumar himself was behind sting operations targeting his own ministers. Kharge rejected that claim and attributed Kumaraswamy's criticism of the Chief Minister to political differences.

Kharge further alleged that the Centre was seeking to dislodge the Congress government because of what he described as its performance in delivering its guarantees and implementing development works across Karnataka.

“The central government is desperate to dislodge the government in Karnataka. The reason is simple. We have delivered and reached the guarantees to the people without any issues. Major works are being carried out across the state, be it in the coastal region or Kalyana Karnataka,” he said.

He also defended Shivakumar's activities across the state and said Kumaraswamy's criticism was motivated by what he described as jealousy.

“The Chief Minister today is active among the people and is working. Out of this jealousy, Union Minister Kumaraswamy is issuing statements. His claim that Chief Minister Shivakumar himself is doing it is purely a statement out of jealousy,” Kharge said.

Kharge maintained that the Congress government's concerns over alleged attempts to destabilise it were based on information the leadership received and were not merely political allegations.

“But this is a fact,” he said.

He also alleged that central agencies had previously been used to put pressure on elected governments in several states. Referring to Maharashtra, Assam, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Kharge claimed that agencies such as the Income Tax Department, ED and CBI, along with other methods including sting operations, had been used against Congress governments.

The allegations and counter-allegations have added to the political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the BJP-JD(S) Opposition in Karnataka over claims of attempts to destabilise the state government and concerns about possible sting operations targeting Congress ministers and leaders.