K'taka BJP chief Vijayendra dares CM Shivakumar: Name who ran Jarkiholi sting op
Synopsis
Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra turned Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's own sting operation remarks into a political boomerang — demanding answers on who orchestrated the Ramesh Jarkiholi scandal and who benefited from it, including a pointed 'ding ding' allegation that stopped just short of naming Shivakumar directly.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka BJP President B.Y.
Vijayendra on 8 October publicly dared CM D.K.
Shivakumar to name who conducted the Ramesh Jarkiholi sting operation.
Vijayendra alleged that the advocate who defended those involved in the sting was later appointed as Additional Advocate General .
Ramesh Jarkiholi was forced to resign as minister during the previous BJP government after an alleged personal video was leaked.
Vishwanath accused the Congress government of diverting attention from drought, inflation, and the NICE project controversy.
The row is part of a wider BJP-Congress confrontation over alleged sting operations and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday, 8 October publicly challenged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to disclose who had orchestrated the sting operation involving former minister and senior BJP leader Ramesh Jarkiholi. Vijayendra made the remarks while addressing the media in Bagalkot, directly turning Shivakumar's own recent statements on sting operations against him.
Vijayendra's Direct Challenge
'Who conducted the sting operation on Ramesh Jarkiholi? Who secured and protected those involved? Which advocate argued in their favour, and which advocate was subsequently appointed as Additional Advocate General? The people of the state know all this,' Vijayendra said.
He alleged that the reputation for orchestrating sting operations, conspiracies, and what he described as 'low-level political strategies' belonged to those currently holding power in Karnataka. 'If you want the name, ask the Congress MLAs. They themselves will reveal the name,' he added.
The Jarkiholi Sting: Background
Ramesh Jarkiholi, a prominent BJP leader from North Karnataka, was compelled to resign as minister during the previous BJP government in the state following the leak of an alleged personal video. The incident triggered significant political controversy and remains a flashpoint in Karnataka's ongoing partisan battles.
Vijayendra's remarks were a direct response to Chief Minister Shivakumar's recent statements about alleged attempts to conduct sting operations against Indian National Congress (Congress) ministers and leaders. The BJP chief argued that Shivakumar, having raised the subject himself, was obligated to explain the circumstances of the earlier Jarkiholi episode.
Vijayendra's 'Ding Ding' Allegation
Taking his attack further, Vijayendra raised a pointed question about Shivakumar's own rise to the chief ministership. 'Who is the leader who conducted sting operations and 'ding ding' operations on their own MLAs and secured the post of Chief Minister? If anyone asks the Congress MLAs, they will tell you who it is,' he said, in what was widely read as a veiled allegation against Shivakumar himself.
He also suggested the Chief Minister's public remarks on sting operations could be a pre-emptive move. 'He had himself raised the issue of sting operations — has he already obtained such recordings involving ministers?' Vijayendra asked.
BJP MLA Vishwanath Joins the Attack
BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath separately criticised Shivakumar's remarks in Bengaluru, arguing that a chief minister must conduct himself with greater dignity. 'The people of the state very well know who was involved in sting operations before D.K. Shivakumar became the Chief Minister,' Vishwanath said.
Vishwanath also alleged that the government was using the sting operations controversy to distract from pressing governance failures. 'Karnataka is reeling under drought, and people are suffering due to inflation. The Congress government is facing serious allegations over the NICE project. By raising issues such as sting operations and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Chief Minister is diverting the attention of the people,' he alleged.
Broader Political Context
The exchange is the latest flare-up in an escalating confrontation between the ruling Congress and the BJP over alleged sting operations targeting political leaders, alongside controversy surrounding the SIR of electoral rolls. Notably, this is not the first time the Jarkiholi episode has been weaponised in the state's political discourse — it has resurfaced repeatedly since the BJP returned to opposition in 2023.
With the political temperature rising in Karnataka, both sides appear set to keep the sting operations issue at the centre of the state's political narrative in the days ahead.
Point of View
The BJP has shifted the narrative from alleged threats against Congress leaders to unresolved questions about the Jarkiholi episode — which has never been fully adjudicated in the public arena. The 'ding ding' jibe is the headline within the headline, a barely veiled accusation that Shivakumar used covert means to consolidate his own position within Congress. What mainstream coverage underplays is the advocate-to-Additional Advocate General allegation — if substantiated, it would represent a serious conflict-of-interest question, not merely a political talking point. Karnataka's political class is using sting-operation allegations as a mutually assured destruction mechanism, which ultimately corrodes public trust in all sides.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ramesh Jarkiholi sting operation controversy?
Ramesh Jarkiholi, a prominent BJP leader from North Karnataka, was forced to resign as minister during the previous BJP government in Karnataka after an alleged personal video was leaked in what was described as a sting operation. The incident has since become a recurring flashpoint in the state's political battles between the BJP and Congress.
Why did B.Y. Vijayendra target CM Shivakumar over sting operations?
Vijayendra was responding to Chief Minister Shivakumar's recent remarks about alleged attempts to run sting operations against Congress ministers. Vijayendra argued that Shivakumar, having raised the subject, must now answer who conducted the earlier Jarkiholi sting, who protected those involved, and who benefited professionally from the fallout.
What is the 'ding ding' allegation Vijayendra made?
Vijayendra alleged that a leader had conducted sting and 'ding ding' operations on their own Congress MLAs to secure the post of Chief Minister, a remark widely interpreted as a veiled accusation against D.K. Shivakumar. He did not name the leader directly but suggested Congress MLAs could confirm the identity.
What is the Additional Advocate General allegation?
Vijayendra alleged that the advocate who argued in favour of those involved in the Jarkiholi sting operation was subsequently appointed as Additional Advocate General in Karnataka, implying a conflict of interest and suggesting political patronage in the appointment.
What other issues did BJP raise alongside the sting operation row?
BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath accused the Congress government of using the sting operations controversy and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to divert public attention from Karnataka's drought conditions, rising inflation, and allegations surrounding the NICE project.
