Karnataka ex CM Siddaramaiah
MYSURU/BENGALURU: Breaking his silence on the viral sting video, former CM Siddaramaiah Friday claimed it was meant to “blackmail” him and “tarnish” his image, while his son and urban development minister Yathindra blamed members of the Congress for the sting op.
No such case was foisted on him in his eight years as CM or since he became a minister in 1984, Siddaramaiah said. Because he wanted to know who was behind it, the former CM said he had filed a police complaint and sought a court injunction against telecasting of the video. Because a worker has done something like this, it does not mean our party is against us, just.
Asked if he was disappointed, he said it’s a concocted story. On Kumaraswamy’s moral support, he said: “I don’t need anyone’s support. Yathindra said people from his own party wanted to “destroy my father’s legacy”. Pointing to the viral video, Yathindra said: “As she herself says in the video, she wanted a ticket from Puttur. Hariprasad said action will follow once replies to the notices come in and if evidence shows Congress members are involved.
Within hours, KPCC president BK Hariprasad ordered show-cause notices to party workers seen in the video, which was first flagged by Union minister HD Kumaraswamy, leaving CM DK Shivakumar in a tight spot. The video surfaced only after he exited office, he noted, wondering how anyone could pressure him when he was out of power. I want people to know the truth. Kumaraswamy had alleged Shivakumar was behind the sting operations. Prima facie, the sting appears to have been conducted for that purpose. Probe must establish whether those involved acted on their own or someone was pulling the strings. As of now, we do not suspect anyone.