Amid escalating political friction in Karnataka over an alleged sting operation, former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee member Siddaramaiah traveled to New Delhi on Monday. During his visit to the national capital, he held a significant meeting with AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, accompanied by several party leaders from the state. Speculation indicates that he may also meet the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to present his detailed stance directly to the high command.
Discussions with Central Leadership
The dialogue with senior leadership is widely viewed as an effort to brief the central command on the latest developments surrounding the issue. A key aspect of these discussions involves assessing whether individuals from within the party setup might have had a hand in the operation. Before traveling to Delhi, Siddaramaiah had already reviewed the situation closely with his aides. He had earlier expressed dissatisfaction regarding the ongoing direction of the inquiry, signaling that he had already lodged a formal complaint regarding the matter.
Allegations of a Blackmail Conspiracy
Siddaramaiah has termed the purported sting a calculated blackmail conspiracy aimed squarely at his political standing. Naming a journalist along with Mangaluru resident Kripa Alva, he indicated his belief in their involvement in orchestrating the episode. His public remarks have intensified the political confrontation, escalating what began as a regional controversy into a wider national topic, particularly given claims regarding possible involvement from members within party ranks.
Refuting Claims and Standing by Integrity
Defending his public record, the former Chief Minister noted that throughout his lengthy political career and his tenure as chief minister, he had never faced such allegations. Asserting that he has engaged in no wrongdoing, he accused unidentified actors of resorting to blackmail as a political instrument. He dismissed the clip circulating on social media, which alleges sexual harassment regarding an event dating back to 2011, calling it completely baseless and characterizing it as a malicious effort specifically engineered to damage his public image.
Police Complaint and Court Injunction
In response to the circulation of the recording, Siddaramaiah submitted a formal complaint to the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, demanding an impartial and transparent probe to unmask those responsible for fabricating the episode. Additionally, he approached the Bengaluru City Civil and Sessions Court seeking a stay order to prevent print media, television broadcast channels, and social media networks from publishing or circulating the unverified footage. Meanwhile, the Central Crime Branch continues its inquiry into the recording conditions, authenticity, and viral spread of the controversial material.
