Karnataka Opposition Leader R. Ashoka on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, alleged that the failure to register an FIR in connection with the sting operation controversy involving former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would itself confirm that Congress leaders were the orchestrators. Ashoka made the remarks in Bengaluru after campaigning for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate A.P. Ranganath in the Bangalore Teachers' Constituency of the Legislative Council.

The Core Allegation

Ashoka accused Congress of deliberately dragging Karnataka politics into disrepute through what he described as the alleged circulation of pen drives and sting operation videos. He demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah immediately order a formal investigation rather than limiting himself to issuing public statements. Questioning the conspicuous silence of the Home Department, he insisted that an FIR be lodged and the appropriate investigating agency be named without further delay.

He noted that Siddaramaiah had himself filed a complaint seeking an inquiry into the video's circulation and had called for identifying the individuals behind the operation. Ashoka argued that the absence of police action despite this complaint deepened suspicions of internal Congress involvement.

Political Stakes and AHINDA Factor

'If this is not investigated, the honour of the state will be auctioned. The alleged operation was intended to finish Siddaramaiah politically and put an end to AHINDA politics,' Ashoka alleged. The AHINDA acronym — representing minorities, backward classes, and Dalit communities in Kannada — has long been Siddaramaiah's core political constituency and a key pillar of his electoral identity.

Ashoka claimed allegations had surfaced against as many as 10 ministers, all of whom were denying any involvement. He argued that the delay in registering an FIR had transformed what could have been a routine political controversy into a serious credibility crisis for the ruling party. He also charged that Congress leaders had betrayed Siddaramaiah, causing deep disillusionment within the AHINDA community, and predicted that the fallout would damage the party's electoral standing.

Legislative Council Elections and NDA Campaign

Ashoka expressed confidence that the BJP-led NDA would sweep all four seats in the upcoming Legislative Council elections, pointing to the active campaigning by senior party figures including Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. He said he had personally canvassed for candidate Ranganath in Anekal, where the constituency has approximately 1,600 voters. He described Ranganath as a committed member of the lawyers' association and said his election would accelerate local development.

Broader Governance Criticism

Ashoka trained his fire on the D.K. Shivakumar-led government on multiple fronts. He alleged that development had effectively stalled, and that drought relief for farmers was grossly inadequate — criticising the ₹2,500 assistance as insufficient and claiming that several beneficiaries had not received their entitled pensions.

He also took aim at the recent increase in milk prices, asserting that the government should honour its manifesto pledge of providing a milk incentive to producers rather than passing costs on to consumers. Separately, Ashoka demanded an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over an alleged incident involving Chief Minister Shivakumar in Delhi, which he said amounted to an insult to Kannadigas.

He also questioned the proposed division of Bengaluru into five administrative units and the possible inclusion of Anekal in the municipal corporation, alleging the move was driven by real estate interests and urging the government to defer the decision until after the elections.

What Comes Next

With the Legislative Council elections approaching and the sting operation row showing no sign of abating, the pressure on the Karnataka government to initiate a formal investigation will likely intensify. Whether an FIR is eventually filed — and who is named in it — could have significant implications for the ruling Congress's internal cohesion and its standing among the AHINDA voter base that Siddaramaiah has cultivated over decades.