Siddaramaiah Slams ‘Surveillance’ Charge, Says Bond With Shivakumar Is ‘Milk and Honey’ Strong

Last Updated:March 03, 2026, 18:39 IST

The Karnataka CM clarified that Congress MLAs are loyal to the party rather than to individuals and possess the freedom to express personal opinions

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has issued a scathing rebuttal to allegations made by Opposition Leader R Ashoka and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy regarding the alleged surveillance of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. In a formal press statement, the Chief Minister characterised these accusations as a classic case of the “thief suspecting others", describing the claims as the desperate utterances of “restless souls" unable to reconcile with their political unemployment since the Congress party assumed power. He emphasised that the bond between himself and Shivakumar remains as solid as “milk and honey," asserting that the opposition’s persistent attempts to drive a wedge between them would only result in their own frustration rather than any actual rift.

The CM pointed out that the individuals making these accusations have themselves held high offices, including the roles of Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Home Minister, during which the intelligence department was under their direct control. He suggested that their allegations seem to stem from their own past experiences and methodologies rather than any current reality.

Unlike the BJP, where leaders reportedly tremble before the Prime Minister, or the JD(S), which he described as being under the dominance of a single family, Siddaramaiah highlighted that the Congress operates under internal democracy. He clarified that Congress MLAs are loyal to the party rather than to individuals and possess the freedom to express personal opinions within the disciplinary framework of the organisation.

Drawing from recent political history, Siddaramaiah reminded the public of the “Operation Kamala" era, resort politics, and past instances of betrayal that led to frequent changes in leadership between 2004 and 2023. He specifically recalled allegations made by current BJP leader BY Vijayendra against HD Kumaraswamy regarding the tapping of phones belonging to prominent seers, including the pontiff of Adichunchanagiri Mutt. He noted that a CBI investigation had previously confirmed the surveillance of several religious leaders during Kumaraswamy’s tenure, suggesting that those who have proven themselves untrustworthy in the past are now projecting their own patterns of behaviour onto the current administration.

The Chief Minister further criticised the central government, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently misused state machinery, including the CBI, ED, and IT departments, to intimidate not only opposition figures but also potential rivals within his own party. Despite such perceived threats, Siddaramaiah declared that neither he nor any leader in his party would succumb to pressure. He concluded by advising Ashoka and Kumaraswamy to focus on constructive opposition rather than “crooked politics," reaffirming that the Congress government has a clear mandate from the people of Karnataka to complete its five-year term under a Congress Chief Minister.

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