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Politics
Siddaramaiah Finds Relief Amid Karnataka Sting Video Controversy
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 15 Oct 2026, 03:46 AM
👁 9
Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has been given a reprieve as the party navigates the fallout from a leaked sting video, while senior leader H.D. Kumaraswamy has turned his criticism towards K. Shivakumar.
The Karnataka Congress is attempting to steady itself after a sting video, allegedly showing senior party figures in compromising conversations, went public last week. In the wake of the scandal, former chief minister Siddaramaiah, who had faced calls for resignation, was granted a temporary reprieve by the party high command, allowing him to continue his role in the state leadership team.
At the same time, former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy seized the moment to launch a pointed attack on fellow Congress leader K. Shivakumar, accusing him of orchestrating the video leak to damage rival factions within the party. Kumaraswamy’s remarks were made during a press briefing in Bengaluru, where he warned that internal sabotage could erode the party’s electoral prospects.
Political analysts say the relief offered to Siddaramaiah reflects the party’s desire to project unity ahead of upcoming local elections, while Kumaraswamy’s targeting of Shivakumar underscores growing fissures among senior leaders. The episode is expected to shape intra‑party dynamics in Karnataka for the months ahead.
At the same time, former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy seized the moment to launch a pointed attack on fellow Congress leader K. Shivakumar, accusing him of orchestrating the video leak to damage rival factions within the party. Kumaraswamy’s remarks were made during a press briefing in Bengaluru, where he warned that internal sabotage could erode the party’s electoral prospects.
Political analysts say the relief offered to Siddaramaiah reflects the party’s desire to project unity ahead of upcoming local elections, while Kumaraswamy’s targeting of Shivakumar underscores growing fissures among senior leaders. The episode is expected to shape intra‑party dynamics in Karnataka for the months ahead.