The Karnataka minister targeted with a failed honey trap said today not just him, but 48 MLAs have been targeted this way over the last 20 years. KN Rajanna, known to be close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was targeted twice, PWD (Public Works Department) Minister Satish Jarkiholi has said. A high-level investigation will be ordered into the matter by the state home ministry. The BJP has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Speaking at the legislative assembly today, Mr Rajanna said, “There is a talk that a minister from Tumkuru has been a victim of honey trap. There are only two of us from Tumkuru, one is me and the other is the Home Minister”.
“This is not a new discussion,’ he added. “There are 48 members who are said to have been victims of this. Many of them have also taken a stay from the High Court. There are such people on both sides and now my name is also being taken. I appeal to the Home Minister to investigate this matter thoroughly. If needed, I am ready to file a complaint myself. At least we should know who is its director and who is the actor”.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara has said that a high-level investigation will be held into the matter.
“There were two attempts (on a minister), but they weren’t successful,” Mr Jarkiholi had told reporters earlier today after the matter was raised in the state assembly yesterday by former BJP minister V Sunil Kumar.
Mr Jarkiholi also said this was not the first time such an incidet took place in Karnataka.
“It has been happening for the last 20 years. Every party — Congress, BJP, and JDS — is a victim,” he said, underscoring that politics should not involve such tactics. Some people exploit such situations for political gains, and it should be stopped, he said.
“In the earlier governments too, there were victims of honey trapping. Some names were heard. Now our people’s (Congress) names are heard, if it happens in the future too, it won’t be surprising. This must end,” he added.
As for the current incident, he said he has spoken to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the home minister. “We have demanded that a complaint be filed and an investigation be done… We have told the victim to come forward and file a complaint, only then it can be investigated and the truth will come out,” he said.
Mr Jarikholi’s admission, though, came as a shot-in-the arm for the BJP, which has slammed the Congress and demanded a probe.
“Satish Jarkiholi is one of the most senior leaders. He is one of the most prominent leaders. If he has made a statement, then it must be true,” said senior BJP leader CT Ravi.
“Who is the kingpin of honey trapping? The one making the allegation is not a common man but a senior leader of the Congress government… So, a serious investigation should be conducted into this matter. I request the Chief Minister to form a special team to investigate this matter,” he added.
Former BJP minister V Sunil Kumar had raised the issue in the assembly on Wednesday during a debate on the law and order situation, accusing the Congress government of running a “honey-trap factory”. He demanded that the state home department investigate the issue.
Last week, reports said two women were arrested for allegedly honey trapping a BJP leader in Tumakuru district. BJP leader Annappa Swamy had alleged that a woman had befriended him on Facebook and later, he was blackmailed with their intimate videos.