Key Takeaways
- Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy refutes phone tapping charge, terming it as ‘public squabbling’ and politically motivated claims.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah denied phone tapping by his government, describing the accusations as baseless.
- The controversy has triggered sharp exchanges between the ruling Congress and opposition leaders in Karnataka, adding to the charged political atmosphere in the state.
Bengaluru: union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday dismissed allegations of phone tapping levelled by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, terming the controversy as mere “public squabbling” and politically motivated claims.
Kumaraswamy denied any involvement in illegal surveillance and questioned the basis of the accusations.
He said such statements were being made without evidence and were aimed at diverting public attention from internal issues within the ruling Congress in the state.
The union Minister suggested that the allegations stem from internal differences within the Congress leadership, particularly amid speculation surrounding power-sharing arrangements.
He maintained that attempts were being made to drag his name into what he described as an intra-party tussle.
Kumaraswamy further remarked that if he had indeed resorted to such tactics in the past, political outcomes would have been different, asserting that the claims lack logic and credibility.
Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had denied any phone tapping by his government and dismissed opposition allegations as baseless. He maintained that there was no rift within the state leadership and described the accusations as politically motivated attempts to create mistrust.
The issue has triggered sharp exchanges between the ruling Congress and opposition leaders in Karnataka, adding to the charged political atmosphere in the state.
