Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar claimed an industrialist attempted to entrap him and Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan in a sting operation by wearing Meta smart glasses during a private meeting. Speaking to Asianet Suvarna News, Shivakumar described how the visitor, who initially discussed business, abruptly shifted the conversation to booth-level political strategies, triggering his suspicion. The DCM noted the device’s presence as the primary red flag, prompting immediate internal scrutiny.
Shivakumar revealed that officials subsequently investigated the visitor’s movements and found he wore the same smart glasses during a meeting with Satheesan but not when visiting Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu or Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This selective pattern, according to Shivakumar, suggests a coordinated effort to target specific Congress leaders. "He wore the Meta glasses only when he came to me and Satheesan," Shivakumar stated, emphasizing the distinct lack of such devices during meetings with NDA allies.
When pressed on why no public action was taken, Shivakumar dismissed the notion of inaction, asserting that all necessary precautionary measures were implemented but remain confidential. "Who said action wasn't sought? You just don't know, that's all," he said. He warned his cabinet colleagues to remain vigilant against potential traps via personal assistants or phone calls, framing the incident as a broader security concern for the ruling government rather than a single isolated event.
The allegation adds a volatile layer to the existing controversy surrounding purported sting videos linked to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Shivakumar did not name the industrialist or release audio/video evidence in the interview, leaving the claim unverifiable by independent media. The Congress and opposition parties are currently trading accusations over the origins and motives behind the recordings, with the new Meta glasses claim likely to prolong the legal and political battle over surveillance ethics in Karnataka.