Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (Left), Karnataka Assembly Opposition Leader R. Ashoka (Right)
BENGALURU: Karnataka Assembly Opposition Leader R. Ashoka on October 14, said that the Congress leadership could be behind the controversial sting operation linked to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah if the state government continued to avoid registering an FIR and ordering a formal investigation.
The controversy surrounding the alleged sting operation has triggered a political confrontation among the Congress, BJP and Janata Dal (Secular), with leaders trading charges over who arranged the recording, who was targeted and what the motive was. Ashoka has demanded that the government stop making statements and initiate a probe to establish the facts.
Speaking to reporters after participating in campaigning for the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency election to the Legislative Council, Ashoka questioned why the government had not registered an FIR despite Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar reportedly raising the issue of sting operations at a Cabinet meeting and cautioning ministers.
“If the government believes that the Opposition is behind the sting operation, it should register an FIR and order an investigation,” Ashoka said, arguing that the Chief Minister’s statements should be followed by concrete action. He maintained that the failure to initiate proceedings would raise questions about the government’s intentions.
Ashoka accused the Congress of bringing Karnataka politics into disrepute through controversies involving alleged sting operations, videos and pen drives. He said the state once prided itself on maintaining a political culture different from states such as Telangana and Tamil Nadu, but recent developments have damaged that reputation.
Referring to what he described as a growing culture of video and pen-drive controversies, the BJP leader said such political tactics were undesirable and did not benefit any party. He called for an investigation to identify those responsible and clarify the circumstances behind the recording and circulation of the video.
“Is there no Home Minister in the state? An FIR should be registered immediately, and the government can then decide which agency should investigate the matter,” Ashoka said, questioning the delay in taking formal action.
He also criticised Minister Priyank Kharge for repeatedly referring to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), arguing that political accusations could not replace an investigation into the alleged sting operation. Ashoka said the government should identify the video’s source and determine whether any political leader organised or circulated it.
The controversy has also taken a new turn after Siddaramaiah reportedly sought an investigation into the circulation of a video allegedly associated with him. Ashoka referred to the complaint and said authorities should examine the material, identify those who shared it, and determine whether a larger political conspiracy was behind its release.
According to Ashoka, the alleged operation was intended to damage Siddaramaiah politically and undermine his support base associated with the Ahinda movement, which represents minorities, backward classes and Dalits. He alleged that the objective was to weaken the former Chief Minister’s political standing and prevent him from continuing his political approach.
Ashoka further claimed that several ministers were linked to the controversy and were trying to distance themselves from it. He said some of Siddaramaiah’s supporters had also suggested that Congress leaders themselves could be behind the operation. However, these claims have not been independently established.
The Opposition leader argued that the government’s reluctance to register an FIR would intensify suspicions about the ruling party’s role. He said a transparent investigation was necessary to prevent the controversy from further damaging the credibility of Karnataka’s political institutions.
