Bengaluru: Union minister HD Kumaraswamy Friday accused chief minister DK Shivakumar of going soft on a key suspect in the alleged sting operation case involving former CM Siddaramaiah, claiming police summoned the person merely as a formality. He warned that JD(S) members would take to the streets if the govt helped the suspect secure anticipatory bail.Explaining why he was backing Siddaramaiah despite their political rivalry, Kumaraswamy said, “Yes, I fought against him, but that was issue-based. I have respect for what he achieved in politics.”Rejecting allegations that the sting operation was a JD(S) conspiracy, Kumaraswamy questioned Congress brass’ response and defended Siddaramaiah’s importance to the party’s electoral prospects.“Who else in Congress is such a tall leader?” he asked. “Siddaramaiah has been forced to sit at home, and now they claim it is a JD(S) conspiracy. Who else can bring votes for Congress? You (Congress) were saved so far because of him.”Kumaraswamy’s remarks came amid reports that Shivakumar met AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal during his visit to New Delhi Thursday. While Shivakumar reportedly accused JD(S) of politicising the controversy, Kumaraswamy alleged that the CM also discussed the issue with the Congress high command.“The issue is not whether JD(S) is using this matter politically. The question is whether the truth will emerge, and if justice will be done,” Kumaraswamy said.The Union minister alleged that a media person was behind the video intended to tarnish Siddaramaiah’s image and was being treated leniently because of his access to Shivakumar. “Information I have suggests the person was staying at a star hotel in Mysuru the day before yesterday, and they brought him in. Yesterday, summons was issued to him merely as a formality,” he alleged.He also cast doubts over the investigation led by senior IPS officer Ajay Hilori, referring to his alleged links with the IMA Ponzi scheme case. Kumaraswamy raised questions about the suspect engaging the same lawyer who had earlier represented Hilori.Warning the govt against helping the suspect secure bail, Kumaraswamy said, “The person has filed an anticipatory bail petition and if the govt helps him secure bail, we will not sit quietly.”
