Political tensions in Karnataka intensified after Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of misusing state intelligence resources to monitor legislators believed to be aligned with Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.
Allegations of Monitoring and Phone Surveillance
Speaking to reporters, Ashok alleged that a team led by a senior police officer had been formed to track the movements and meetings of certain Congress MLAs. He claimed that the monitoring was being carried out without a formal government notification.
According to Ashok, the alleged surveillance included observing who the legislators met, where they travelled and, potentially, tracking phone conversations. He suggested that, if true, such actions could amount to phone tapping and misuse of state machinery. These claims were made by Ashok and have not been independently verified.
Internal Dynamics Within the Congress
The controversy comes amid reports of internal friction within the Indian National Congress in Karnataka. A recent private gathering in Bengaluru attended by several MLAs considered close to Shivakumar sparked speculation about shifting loyalties within the ruling party.
Ashok further alleged that some legislators were facing delays or restrictions in the release of constituency development funds. He claimed this was being used as a political tool, though no documentary evidence was presented at the time of his statement.
Government Rejects Charges
Responding to the allegations, Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. He questioned how Ashok had access to intelligence-related information and asked him to substantiate the claims with evidence.
Kharge said the government cannot respond to unverified allegations made without proof and maintained that no such surveillance exercise had been authorised.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the Karnataka Home Department confirming the existence of any such monitoring team. Officials indicated informally that no formal orders for surveillance of legislators have been issued.
BJP Leaders Back Ashok
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy supported Ashok’s remarks, stating that a senior opposition leader would not make such serious allegations without credible information. He criticised the ruling party’s response and called for transparency on the matter.
No Formal Complaint Yet
At present, no formal complaint has been filed by Ashok with law enforcement agencies, and the matter has not been officially taken up for discussion in the Assembly. The state government has not announced any inquiry into the allegations.
With both sides holding firm to their positions, the issue remains a political flashpoint. Any further action, including possible debate in the legislature or demands for an independent probe, is yet to be formally announced.
