NEW DELHI: Karnataka Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Thursday said that two unsuccessful attempts were made to honey-trap a senior minister in the state. He called for a police investigation into the matter.
“There were two attempts (on a minister), but they weren’t successful. This is not the first honey trap incident in Karnataka,” Jarkiholi told reporters when asked about the issue.
In the Karnataka legislative assembly, another minister claimed that not just one or two but 48 ministers had fallen victim to similar political trapping.
Following these revelations, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara announced a high-level investigation into the alleged honey trap attempt. He made the announcement during the budget session discussion in the assembly on Thursday.
The issue gained momentum after former BJP minister V Sunil Kumar raised it in the assembly on Wednesday. He accused the Congress government of running a “honey-trap factory” and demanded that the home department take action.
What started as speculation about a Karnataka minister being honey-trapped has now turned into a major political controversy.
Another minister alleges honey trap attempt
Karnataka cooperation minister KN Rajanna also alleged that an attempt was made to honey-trap him. He called on Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara to investigate the matter.
During the budget session discussion, Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal raised the issue, mentioning that there had been an attempt to trap the Cooperation Minister.
Rajanna acknowledged the claims and responded in the Assembly, saying, “Many people say Karnataka has become a CD and pen drive factory. This is a serious allegation. It is being said that an influential minister from Tumakuru has been caught in a honey trap. The ones from Tumakuru are G Parameshwara and me.”
He further said, “I will file a complaint regarding this. The Home Minister must investigate this matter.”
Jarkiholi calls for investigation
Speaking to news agency ANI, Jarkiholi confirmed that an attempt was made but did not succeed.
“It is true that it was tried but it did not succeed. This is not the first time this has happened in Karnataka; it has been happening for the last 20 years. Every party—Congress, BJP, and JDS—is a victim of this,” he said.
Jarkiholi emphasized the need for an investigation, stating, “We have demanded that a complaint should be filed and an investigation should be done. We have told the victim to come forward and file a complaint; only then can it be investigated, and the truth will come out.”
Cooperation minister claims 48 politicians honey trapped
Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna claimed that those involved in creating CDs and pen drives had honey-trapped 48 individuals across different political parties.
“They belong to two different political parties. This issue is not limited to our state—it extends to the national level, involving leaders from various political parties across the country. I won’t respond to the allegations against me here. I will give a written complaint to the Home Minister. This must be investigated. Let it be revealed who the producers and directors behind this are. The public must know,” Rajanna said.
He further stated, “There are pen drives of 48 individuals from two parties. This is a dangerous menace. This is now a public issue. They attempted it on me too. I have evidence. I will file a complaint. Let it be revealed who is involved.”
Home minister orders high-level probe
Following the allegations, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara announced a high-level investigation into the matter.
Speaking in the Assembly, Parameshwara said, “If we have to uphold the dignity of the House, this issue must be concluded appropriately. If Rajanna submits a written request, I will order a high-level investigation based on that. The truth must come out.”
The developments follow former BJP minister V Sunil Kumar’s allegations in the Assembly on Wednesday, where he accused the Congress government of running a “honey-trap factory” and demanded action from the home department.