Siddaramaiah says sting operation was designed to blackmail him

His remarks have added fresh momentum to the controversy, which has now reached the national political arena amid competing allegations about the possible involvement of Congress members.

Mysuru: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has described the alleged sting operation against him as a systematic blackmail conspiracy, naming a journalist and Krupa Alva of Mangaluru as people he believes were behind it. His remarks have added fresh momentum to the controversy, which has now reached the national political arena amid competing allegations about the possible involvement of Congress members.

Speaking to the media at the Suttur branch mutt in Mysuru on October 23, Siddaramaiah said the issue first came to his notice in September. He claimed that the accusations were entirely baseless and said he had approached the police voluntarily so that the facts could be brought before the public.

Siddaramaiah said his eight years as Chief Minister and his long political career had not been marked by allegations of this kind. He accused unnamed individuals of using blackmail as a political tactic and insisted that he had committed no wrongdoing.

‘People from Congress trying to spoil Siddaramaiah’s reputation’

The controversy gained another dimension after minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah alleged that people within the Congress had organised the sting operation to spoil his father’s reputation. The allegation has raised questions about possible internal differences within the ruling party, though no such involvement has been established.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has also renewed his attack on Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during the political exchanges surrounding the case. KPCC president BK Hariprasad has said that notices would be issued and action initiated if the involvement of Congress members is confirmed.

Nothing to hide, says Siddaramaiah

Siddaramaiah said the investigation should identify those responsible and establish their motives. He cautioned against drawing conclusions before the police completed their work, adding that it would be known only after the investigation whether those behind the alleged plot were from his own party or the Opposition.

Maintaining that he did not need anyone’s support to defend himself, Siddaramaiah said he had nothing to hide. He argued that people were making statements for political benefit but asserted that the alleged conspiracy would ultimately fail.

The former chief minister said he had full faith in the police investigation and saw no need to demand a Special Investigation Team or any other high-level inquiry. He said his decision to file a complaint was intended to ensure that the truth emerged rather than allow allegations to circulate unchecked.

He also said he had obtained a court order to prevent what he described as false accusations and a campaign to damage his reputation. Siddaramaiah maintained that the alleged sting operation was intended to blackmail him.