Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said the recent political developments in the state are giving rise to an "extremely bad political culture" and that such a culture must come to an end. Addressing the media, Kumaraswamy said he was raising the issue with pain. He said he would not comment on the incident in Delhi yesterday in which Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was allegedly pulled by security personnel during a protest but added that "the day is not far when even his chair will be pulled away."

operation issue has overshadowed
He said people of the state are facing several serious issues including farmers' demand for a scientifically determined price for sugarcane, drought situation, and issues related to Bidadi township and NICE project. Despite these, the sting operation issue has overshadowed everything and come to the forefront, after the Chief Minister raised it in the Cabinet meeting, he said.

journalists to gather information
Addressing allegations on appointment of retired officers, Kumaraswamy alleged that after becoming Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar has appointed four retired police officers at his Sadashiv Nagar residence. "Earlier, he had appointed only journalists to gather information for his office. Now, he has appointed four police officers to gather information about what is being discussed by ministers in his Cabinet. This discussion has begun within the police department," Kumaraswamy claimed.

filed a complaint in court
Referring to the sting operation case, Kumaraswamy said the Nija Horata Samiti has filed a complaint in court and an investigation is underway. He said the former Chief Minister has obtained a stay from the court in the matter. Kumaraswamy also referred to the Prajwal Revanna case, stating that during the 2024 Parliamentary elections, videos were circulated on pen drives in Mandya and Hassan just four days before polling. He alleged that there is a recorded conversation and an audio clip involving a lawyer and others where they allegedly conspired to tarnish the Deve Gowda family. He alleged that the present Chief Minister himself had made remarks about getting complaints filed through women and alleged circulation of videos. Kumaraswamy claimed the former Chief Minister approached the court and obtained a stay to suppress the matter.