BENGALURU: A political storm erupted in Karnataka assembly Thursday following allegations of a honeytrap scandal involving a senior minister and 48 others, including legislators, politicians and judges. Some members suggested the scandal was orchestrated by a senior Congress politician harbouring aspirations of becoming CM.
The issue took centre stage after state cooperation minister K N Rajanna admitted to being a honeytrap victim himself, triggering a heated debate in the House.
“It is a serious issue. If we must save the dignity of our members, we must put a brake on such incidents. I will order a high-level probe into allegations of honey-trapping made by Rajanna based on a written complaint to be filed by him,” state home minister G Parameshwara said.
“I am not alone; 48 others, including legislators, central leaders, and judges have been honey-trapped, and their obscene videos have been made,” Rajanna claimed.
The issue was first raised Wednesday by BJP politician and former minister V Sunil Kumar, who accused the Congress govt of running a “honey-trap factory” and demanded strict action. Senior BJP legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal then alleged the scandal was orchestrated by a senior Congress politician to malign political opponents ahead of a leadership battle. “We hear speculation that some people who have set their eyes on the CM’s post are indulging in such activities to defame their political opponents. In future, they may target anyone depending on their need,” Yatnal warned, without naming anyone.
Joining the debate, Rajanna pointed to a specific claim involving a minister from Tumakuru district. “Me and Parameshwara are the only ministers from Tumakuru,” Rajanna said, adding some people were in possession of CDs and pen drives in this regard.
The debate intensified as BJP MLA Munirathna, who is facing a sexual harassment plaint, claimed he, too, was a victim of a political vendetta. Demanding a CBI probe into the allegations, Munirathna added: “You hang me if I am wrong, but do not indulge in character assassination.”
BJP’s Sunil Kumar questioned the security of ordinary citizens when prominent netas were being targeted.
Public works minister Satish Jarkiholi, whose brother Ramesh Jarkiholi was embroiled in a honey-trap scandal in 2021, disclosed there had been two failed attempts to trap a senior state minister. “We will speak to the CM (Siddaramaiah); have already discussed it with the home minister (G Parameshwara). If there is a complaint, it will help the investigation,” he said.
Deputy CM D K Shivakumar said, “I stand by the demand for legal action against those responsible for the honeytraps. Let a complaint be filed first, and a thorough investigation should follow.”
