Siddaramaiah alleges internal Congress involvement in sting operation row
The former chief minister met Rahul Gandhi in Delhi to discuss a fake sting operation aimed at damaging his image.
Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has alleged that members of the Congress party were involved in a fake sting operation to tarnish his reputation, according to the Deccan Herald. He sought the intervention of senior leader Rahul Gandhi to uncover the truth behind the matter.
Siddaramaiah met Rahul Gandhi at the 10 Janpath residence in New Delhi on Monday for a private discussion. He was accompanied by his son, Urban Development Minister Yatindra Siddaramaiah, following the I.N.D.I.A bloc rally in Delhi on Sunday.
Sources close to the leader said Siddaramaiah expressed dissatisfaction that the police were not investigating the matter with enough rigour despite the Congress being in power in Karnataka. He reportedly linked the sting video to the party's recent loss in four MLC seats in the state.
The former chief minister told Rahul Gandhi that he might refuse to campaign in the 2028 Assembly elections if attempts to damage his image continue. He noted that despite previously stepping down as chief minister to work for the party, some members were still conspiring against him.
While Siddaramaiah told reporters after the meeting that he discussed state politics and organisational issues, he did not specifically confirm raising the sting issue. Rahul Gandhi reportedly assured him that his concerns would be addressed.
In a related development, the Central Crime Branch of the Bengaluru Police raided the home and office of Power TV MD Rakesh Shetty, a suspect in the case, on Monday.