Bengaluru, Oct 17 Leading a JD(S) campaign against an alleged sting operation, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, the party’s second-in-command, marched to the state Police Headquarters here with a large number of party workers on Saturday and submitted a memorandum to DGP M A Saleem.
The memorandum submitted to the DGP and the JD(S) cadres who participated in the march sought immediate arrest and stringent legal action against those involved in an alleged sting operation video circulating on social media.
The memorandum signed by all the JD(S) MLAs talks about “suppression and misuse of serious sexual allegations made by a woman, violation of her rights, editing of the video to blackmail influential persons”.
It also demands “a comprehensive investigation by a high-level Special Investigation Team into the alleged political conspiracy”.
The protest led to commotion as workers jostled to enter the DGP office, prompting police to put up barricades and attempt to cordon off the area with a rope. The gathering disrupted traffic on the busy Nrupatunga Road.
While speaking to reporters after submitting the memorandum, Kumaraswamy accused the Karnataka government of inaction over the alleged sting operation targeting former chief minister Siddaramaiah and questioned why police had failed to act against those behind it, while allegedly harassing JD(S) social media workers.
“We have explained all the incidents occurring in Karnataka and brought them to the government’s notice”.
He alleged that the state government had failed to take action despite several developments.
He questioned Siddaramaiah’s response to the alleged sting operation, saying it was intended to damage the former chief minister’s reputation and that Siddaramaiah himself was not involved in it.
“Seeing all this, does Siddaramaiah’s blood not boil? What happened to you, Siddaramaiah? Why have you not filed a complaint? I am asking these questions out of genuine pain,” he said.
Kumaraswamy said nearly 10 to 12 days had passed since the episode and questioned the purpose of the video and the circumstances in which Siddaramaiah’s name was brought into it.
He also questioned the remarks made to the woman involved in the episode about the time she had spent with the person concerned.
“This is not merely a question concerning you personally, Siddaramaiah. The incident has implications beyond you,” he said, recalling that he had worked with and opposed the chief minister politically at different times.
The Union Minister also questioned the alleged leakage of confidential information from a Cabinet meeting in which sting operations targeting several ministers were reportedly discussed.
Criticising the state government and the Home Department, he asked what had happened to 17-18 non-bailable warrants and why action had not been taken against the person concerned.
“If there are 17 or 18 warrants and you are unable to act against the person concerned, then, as I said earlier, it raises the question of whether this government is effectively polishing that individual’s boots,” he said.
Kumaraswamy also criticised the government’s response to the controversy, questioning how honest police officers could function effectively in such circumstances. He said the memorandum detailed the incidents and sought action from the DGP.
In a sarcastic attack on the government, he suggested that the person at the centre of the controversy be seated on a throne in front of Vidhana Soudha and be conferred the Karnataka Ratna award on November 1, when the state celebrates Karnataka Rajyotsava.
“The government must answer these questions. Conduct an investigation and investigate every aspect that needs to be examined,” he said, adding that the JD(S) would wait a few more days to see what decision the DGP takes.
In the midst of the ‘sting operation’ becoming a hot topic of discussion in the political circle, CM Shivakumar met his predecessor Siddaramaiah on Friday.
Further, state Home Minister Priyank Kharge also met Shivakumar at his residence on Saturday.
This issue created turmoil in Karnataka politics after Chief Minister D K Shivakumar recently advised his Cabinet colleagues to be alert as there could be attempts at a sting operation on them.
Later, he told reporters that attempts were made on him to trap him in a sting operation after he became chief minister.
Recently, Siddaramaiah obtained an injunction order from a court on a defamatory social media post. Later he said it wasn’t a sting operation but a smear campaign. He had also lodged a police complaint.
Police picked up two JD(S) workers in this regard. Enraged by this, Kumaraswamy launched an attack on the government alleging that it was targeting innocent JD(S) workers while sparing those who made the ‘sting video’.
In the midst of the controversy, Shivakumar called on Siddaramaiah on Friday night.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Shivakumar clarified that he called on his party leader to enquire about his well-being.
(PTI News)
