Bengaluru, March 3 (NationPress) Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has firmly rejected the claims made by Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy regarding alleged phone tapping aimed at monitoring Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar. He labeled these allegations as “unfounded” and politically driven.

In a statement to the media, Siddaramaiah compared their accusations to the saying, “a thief believes everyone else is a thief,” indicating that such comments stem from their own frustrations.

He pointed out that since the Congress regained power in the state, opposition leaders have worked to create division between him and Shivakumar.

“No matter how hard they try to instigate conflict, it will not jeopardize the strong bond we have,” the Chief Minister affirmed, emphasizing that both he and Shivakumar remain loyal to the party's leadership.

Siddaramaiah reiterated that the Congress party operates with internal democracy and is not controlled by fear or a singular family.

He also noted that those who are making these allegations were once in significant positions, including Chief Minister and Home Minister, during which they had oversight of the Intelligence Department. He suggested that their claims might be influenced by their own experiences while in power.

The Chief Minister accused the BJP and JD(S) of disseminating false narratives aimed at undermining his relationship with Shivakumar. He recalled that Shivakumar has endured various legal challenges and even imprisonment in the past, yet has stayed committed to the Congress party amidst political pressures.

Discussing Karnataka's recent political climate, Siddaramaiah remarked that events like 'Operation Kamala,' resort politics, and frequent leadership changes are indicative of internal distrust and conspiracies within opposition factions. He highlighted the fact that the state saw five different Chief Ministers from 2004 to 2013 and three between 2018 and 2023.

He also referenced past claims of phone tapping during previous administrations.

In 2018, under Kumaraswamy's leadership, allegations emerged regarding the tapping of phones belonging to religious leaders, including that of the Adichunchanagiri pontiff. An investigation had suggested that several phones were indeed under surveillance.

Turning his focus to the Central government, Siddaramaiah accused them of misusing agencies such as the police, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and Income Tax Department to intimidate political rivals. He asserted that neither he nor his party leaders would bow to such coercion.

The Chief Minister urged Kumaraswamy and Ashoka to adopt a more constructive approach as the opposition instead of what he termed “malicious politics.” He expressed his confidence that the Congress government would successfully complete its full five-year term, despite opposition efforts to disrupt it.

Siddaramaiah concluded by stating that the electorate of Karnataka has granted the Congress a decisive mandate, ensuring that the state's Chief Minister would continue to be from the Congress party.