Siddaramaiah sting row: BJP's Ashoka alleges Congress insiders betrayed ex-CM
Synopsis
The alleged sting operation targeting former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has cracked open a bitter intra-Congress feud — with BJP's LoP Ashoka claiming Congress insiders wielded the sting as a political weapon, BJP President Vijayendra questioning CM Shivakumar's willingness to probe, and suspended BJP MLA Yatnal alleging both parties run 'CD factories' to blackmail their own leaders.
Key Takeaways
Ashoka alleged on 24 October that Congress insiders orchestrated the sting operation against former CM Siddaramaiah .
Ashoka demanded a CBI probe , alleging the state government was attempting to suppress the investigation.
Vijayendra questioned CM D.K.
Shivakumar's willingness to ensure a thorough investigation, alleging the row was being used to force Siddaramaiah out.
Siddaramaiah's son and Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah had earlier stated that Congress insiders carried out the sting over disputes about election tickets and board posts.
Suspended BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal alleged both Congress and BJP have elements running 'CD factories' to blackmail party leaders in Karnataka.
The sting row threatens to deepen the reported rivalry between the Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps within the Karnataka Congress.
Karnataka Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, 24 October alleged that Congress insiders were responsible for the alleged sting operation targeting former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee member Siddaramaiah, claiming the controversy has laid bare deep fissures within the ruling party in Karnataka. The allegations follow a statement by Karnataka Minister and Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra Siddaramaiah that Congress insiders had orchestrated the sting over disputes related to Assembly election tickets, board chairperson posts, and other political positions.
Ashoka's Allegations Against the Congress
Reacting sharply to Yathindra's remarks, LoP Ashoka said the developments had brought the Congress to a critical juncture in the state. 'There is no honour left within the Congress party. The person who handed over power smoothly has been stabbed in the back by Congress leaders,' Ashoka alleged.
He further claimed that Siddaramaiah's core support base — the AHINDA community (a Kannada acronym representing Minorities, Backward Classes, and Dalits) — had been deeply hurt by the episode. According to Ashoka, the community felt that a leader who had championed its dignity was now being dishonoured from within his own party. 'The AHINDA community has become directionless, and the Congress party is responsible for this situation,' he alleged.
Demand for CBI Probe
Ashoka questioned the state government's handling of the controversy, pointing out that despite an announced investigation, no meaningful action had reportedly been taken. He demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, alleging that attempts were being made to suppress the case. He also warned that unresolved resentment among Siddaramaiah's supporters could carry significant political consequences in upcoming elections.
Vijayendra Questions Shivakumar's Willingness to Probe
State BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra echoed the demand for a transparent and comprehensive investigation, directing his criticism squarely at Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. 'We know who the sting expert is. Let them show interest in getting the matter investigated. The Chief Minister should demonstrate his willingness to probe it,' Vijayendra said.
Vijayendra alleged that the controversy was being leveraged to pressure Siddaramaiah into stepping down from his current position. He noted that Siddaramaiah had served as Chief Minister of Karnataka and presented more than 10 budgets during his political career, underscoring the gravity of the allegations against him. Without naming any individual, Vijayendra alleged: 'The father of sting operations was sitting at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and has now come to Vidhana Soudha. Everyone knows who it is.'
Suspended BJP MLA Yatnal Points Fingers at Both Parties
In a startling aside, suspended BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, speaking in Delhi, alleged that both the Congress and the BJP harboured elements involved in recording private videos and using them to blackmail their own party leaders. 'There are two CD factories in Karnataka. One has come out in the open, and another is in the BJP,' Yatnal alleged, claiming that anyone perceived as a threat within either party was targeted through such recordings. The remarks drew attention for their candour, coming as they did from within BJP ranks.
Background and What's Next
This comes amid an ongoing controversy over an alleged sting video linked to Siddaramaiah, with multiple political actors demanding an independent probe. The episode has intensified scrutiny of the Congress-led Karnataka government's internal dynamics, particularly the reported rivalry between the Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps. Notably, the sting row follows a period of sustained political pressure on Siddaramaiah, who had already faced calls to step aside following separate legal controversies earlier this year. How the state government responds to CBI probe demands — and whether any formal investigation gains traction — will shape the political landscape in Karnataka ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Point of View
One chief ministership, and a succession timeline that both sides are quietly contesting. The BJP's demand for a CBI probe is predictable opposition politics, but the more revealing detail is Yatnal's admission that the BJP too allegedly runs its own 'CD factory,' which strips the party of any clean-hands posture. What the mainstream coverage underplays is the AHINDA dimension: if Siddaramaiah's core Dalit-OBC-minority coalition perceives this as a targeted humiliation, the electoral fallout for Congress in Karnataka could extend well beyond the next assembly cycle.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Siddaramaiah sting operation controversy?
The Siddaramaiah sting controversy refers to an alleged sting video linked to former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, which has triggered demands for an independent investigation. Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, the former CM's son, alleged that Congress insiders orchestrated the sting over disputes related to Assembly election tickets and political positions.
Why is the BJP demanding a CBI probe into the sting row?
Karnataka LoP R. Ashoka alleged that despite the state government announcing an investigation, no meaningful action has been taken, and that attempts are being made to suppress the case. The BJP argues that only a CBI probe can ensure an impartial inquiry free from political interference.
What did BJP President Vijayendra allege about CM Shivakumar?
B.Y. Vijayendra alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar lacks the willingness to pursue a comprehensive investigation into the sting operation. He also alleged, without naming anyone, that the 'father of sting operations' had moved from the KPCC to Vidhana Soudha, and that the controversy was being used to pressure Siddaramaiah to step down.
What did suspended BJP MLA Yatnal allege about the sting row?
Basanagouda Patil Yatnal alleged that both Congress and BJP have elements involved in recording private videos to blackmail their own party leaders, claiming there are 'two CD factories in Karnataka.' His remarks were notable for implicating his own party alongside the Congress.
How does the sting row affect Karnataka's political landscape?
The controversy has deepened scrutiny of the reported rivalry between the Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar factions within the Karnataka Congress. BJP leaders warn that unresolved resentment among Siddaramaiah's AHINDA support base could have significant electoral consequences for the Congress in upcoming elections.
