Karnataka Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday accused Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy of masterminding the alleged sting operation targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, claiming that his social media team was directly involved and his official residence in Delhi was used to execute the plan.Reacting to the Bengaluru Police's investigation, the Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development and Parliamentary Affairs alleged that funds had also been transferred for the operation. He claimed the move was intended to achieve two objectives: damage Siddaramaiah's credibility and shift the blame onto the incumbent Chief Minister.“Masterstroke of political machination.
Sometimes real life is more bizarre than fiction,” Gowda said, accusing leaders involved in the episode of indulging in “downright immoral character assassination” while attempting to pin the blame on others.His remarks came hours after the Bengaluru Police's Central Crime Branch (CCB) searched the residence and office of Kannada news channel head Rakesh Shetty as part of its probe into the alleged sting operation. The searches followed Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh's statement that a mobile phone allegedly used to upload the videos on social media had been purchased in New Delhi and delivered to Prajwal Prasad at Kumaraswamy's official residence in the national capital.
Police have already questioned Shetty and expelled Congress leader Kripa Alva, both accused of being behind the sting videos. Two videos containing serious allegations against Siddaramaiah were reportedly uploaded on YouTube in September.
The former Chief Minister subsequently approached a court and secured an injunction restraining the media from reporting on the videos. He also lodged a police complaint seeking an investigation.According to the Police Commissioner, arrested accused Ritesh Pandey told investigators that the phone had been handed over to Prasad on the latter's instructions.
Pandey, who is based in Delhi, was arrested on October 24 and brought to Bengaluru for questioning. Gowda also questioned the purpose of political leaders using their positions for such activities instead of public service. “Is this the reason people have put us here?
Is this why they have given us power and position?” he asked, alleging that the episode reflected hatred and intolerance towards political opponents.Calling it a “terrible betrayal of the public”, the minister said such conduct was dragging the political system down.- Ends