DK Shivakumar alleges sting attempt using Meta smart glasses, says Kerala CM was also targeted

In an interview with Kannada news channel Asianet Suvarna News, Shivakumar claimed that an industrialist who met him was wearing the glasses, raising suspicions that their conversation could have been recorded.

He alleged that the same person had also worn the device during a meeting with Satheesan but not while meeting certain chief ministers belonging to the BJP or its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies.

Shivakumar, however, did not publicly identify the industrialist or present verifiable evidence that a recording attempt had taken place.

'We have taken all precautionary measures': Shivakumar

Asked whether action had been taken against those allegedly involved in the suspected operation, Shivakumar said the authorities had responded but were keeping the details confidential.

"Who said action wasn't sought? You just don't know, that's all. We are not disclosing it," he said, adding that precautionary measures had been taken.

Recounting the incident, Shivakumar said the industrialist had obtained an appointment through officials and initially discussed business matters with him.

The conversation subsequently shifted towards political issues, including booth-level strategies and developments in the political arena.

The combination of the political discussion and the visitor's Meta smart glasses prompted Shivakumar to ask officials to conduct preliminary inquiries into the man's background, movements and meetings with other political leaders.

Shivakumar claims glasses were worn during meetings with Congress leaders

According to Shivakumar, information gathered by his officials suggested that the industrialist had worn the Meta glasses during meetings with him and Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan.

He alleged that the visitor had not worn the device during meetings with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and a Union minister.

"He wore the Meta glasses only when he came to me and Satheesan," Shivakumar claimed.

The allegations have added another dimension to the ongoing political dispute over purported sting-operation videos linked to former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The Congress and opposition parties have traded accusations over the recordings and the motives behind them.

Karnataka Deputy CM warns Cabinet colleagues

Shivakumar said he had received information about individuals who could potentially be involved in such activities.

He also said he had cautioned members of his Cabinet to remain vigilant against possible attempts to entrap them.

He warned ministers against being misled through their personal assistants, telephone calls or other means, stressing that they needed to exercise caution in their interactions.

"As the head of the government, which is like a family, I have to tell the Cabinet ministers to be conscious and not get fooled," he said.

Siddaramaiah dismisses sting-operation case as 'false'

Separately, former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has rejected the allegations surrounding the related sting-operation case, describing it as false and saying he had filed a complaint to bring the matter to public attention.

Siddaramaiah said he had served as Chief Minister for eight years without encountering similar incidents in the past, but alleged that the situation had changed.

"I was Chief Minister for eight years. In the past, nothing like this happened, but now it is happening. I have filed a complaint so that people should know that this is a false case," he said.

The Congress leader also asserted that he was not vulnerable to blackmail, either during his tenure in office or after leaving power.

"I have no power now to be blackmailed. In the past, when I was in power, I wasn't blackmailed," Siddaramaiah said.

The allegations and counterclaims have intensified the political row in Karnataka, with questions remaining over the alleged recordings, the identity of the industrialist and whether any evidence of a covert operation will emerge.