Amidst raging row over sting operations

Mysuru: Amidst the raging row over sting operations involving Karnataka political leaders, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar called on former CM Siddaramaiah at the latter’s Kuvempunagar residence here last night.

After inaugurating ‘Cauvery Aarti’ at KRS in Srirangapatna taluk last evening, Shivakumar arrived in Mysuru and visited the newly built residence of Siddaramaiah on Vishwamanava Double Road in Kuvempunagar and held talks with him for nearly 90 minutes.

Rajya Sabha MP and the CM’s Political Advisor G.C. Chandrashekar, the CM’s Political Secretary and MLA  A.S. Ponnanna were present during the meeting. Later, the CM had dinner with Siddaramaiah and left for Bengaluru, it is learnt.

The meeting assumes significance in the wake of Siddaramaiah bringing a Court stay against airing of videos and audios allegedly featuring him.

Priyank Kharge meets Siddu

Earlier on Friday, Home Minister Priyank Kharge too visited Mysuru and met former CM Siddaramaiah at the latter’s Kuvempunagar residence. He held talks with him for half-an-hour.

Mysuru District in-Charge Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who is the former CM’s son, was present during the meeting.

The meeting comes at a time when sting operations are hitting headlines in the State since the past few days, with the Opposition targeting the ruling Congress dispensation in Karnataka. Priyank Kharge is said to have discussed the sting row among other issues at the meeting.

In another development, Agriculture Minister P.M. Narendraswamy and Excise Minister K.M. Shivalingegowda too met Siddaramaiah at the residence of the former CM’s close aide Mariswamy at T.K. Layout on Friday afternoon. The three leaders are said to have closeted for about half-an-hour.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah, who is said to be unhappy about the propaganda surrounding the alleged sting operations, is unwilling to meet any political leader at his new residence, other than State Cabinet Ministers, it is learnt.