Siddaramaiah alleges blackmail plot, names woman and journalist in sting row

Mysuru, Oct 23 (UNI) Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has alleged that an attempted blackmail plot lay behind the controversial sting operation targeting him, naming Krupa Alva of Mangaluru and a journalist as allegedly being involved and calling for a transparent investigation to establish the facts.

Breaking his silence on the controversy at Suttur Mutt in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said the matter had come to his notice in September and that he had voluntarily approached the police to ensure that the truth emerged. He alleged that the operation was intended to malign him through false accusations and said he had obtained a court injunction to prevent such allegations.

The former Chief Minister said it was essential to establish who was behind the alleged conspiracy and whether those involved belonged to the Congress or the opposition. However, expressing confidence in the government's investigative agencies, he said he did not consider a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or another high-level probe necessary. Referring to his eight-year tenure as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah said he had not faced such allegations during that period and maintained that he had nothing to hide.

He also said he did not need anyone's moral support, insisting that the facts should speak for themselves. The controversy took a sharper political turn after Minister Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah alleged that people from within the Congress were involved in the alleged operation to blackmail his father and damage his political standing.

Citing the video that had surfaced, Yathindra claimed that it indicated the involvement of party leaders and a media representative. He said the investigation should establish whether those involved had acted independently or at the behest of influential individuals. Yathindra also referred to a woman party leader allegedly discussing her interest in securing the Congress ticket for the Puttur Assembly constituency, suggesting that the episode warranted closer scrutiny. Describing the incident as particularly distressing for his father after four decades in public life, Yathindra expressed confidence that a transparent investigation would expose those responsible and ensure that the guilty were punished.

The allegations have opened a fresh political flashpoint in Karnataka, with questions over the alleged blackmail attempt, the identities of those involved and the possible political motives behind the sting operation. The claims made by Siddaramaiah and Yathindra remain allegations, and the role of the individuals named will have to be established through the investigation.

UNI BDN