Congress has become a ‘sting operation factory’ says Narayanaswamy

​Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Tuesday (October 13) launched a scathing attack on the ruling Congress, calling it a “sting operation factory”, and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the ongoing political developments.

​Addressing a press conference in Yadgir during a campaign event for the upcoming Legislative Council elections, Mr. Narayanaswamy alleged that a sting operation was carried out, targeting former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to disturb him, even as he was resting at home and staying away from active electoral politics. While refraining from naming any individual behind the episode, the Opposition leader repeatedly asserted that the Congress party had reduced itself to orchestrated sting operations. He urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to hand over the matter to the CBI for a transparent investigation.

​Touching upon the recent agitation by State leaders in the national capital, Mr. Narayanaswamy expressed dismay over the treatment meted out to Mr. Shivakumar. “The way the Chief Minister was treated during the protest in Delhi — where he was practically pushed back — was improper. It is an insult not only to him but to the entire state of Karnataka,” he said, demanding that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tender an apology to Kannadigas.

​He also strongly objected to the Congress’s rally to the Supreme Court, noting that the party and its allies were opposing the State Initiative for Review (SIR) process, which has received widespread appreciation from the public and Ministers in neighbouring States.

​Mr. Narayanaswamy criticised the State government for neglecting farmers amidst severe drought conditions, citing crop damage, acute drinking water scarcity and fodder shortages across rural regions. “Instead of taking urgent steps to address these pressing issues, the Ministers and MLAs participated in political demonstrations in Delhi to divert public attention,” he charged. 

He recalled that during B.S. Yediyurappa’s tenure as Chief Minister, the BJP government had released ₹25,000 per acre to drought-hit farmers.

“We asked the state government to release ₹10,000 immediately and further urged them to take an all-party delegation to the Centre for additional compensation. However, the government hadn’t taken any decision on it,” he highlighted.

​On the reservation front, the BJP leader accused the administration of failing to adequately represent the State’s stance before the High Court. Pointing to States like Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu where SC/ST reservations exceed 50%, he faulted the government for failing to convince the court, which struck down the 2022 law that hiked reservation for SCs from 15% to 17% and STs from 3% to 7%.

‘Out of NIMHANS’

​Responding to remarks made by Pradeep Eshwar, Chikkaballapur MLA, concerning North Karnataka, Mr. Narayanaswamy declined to comment directly, stating dismissively that the lawmaker appeared to have come out of NIMHANS and that voters in his constituency would teach him a fitting lesson. He further demanded that the Chief Minister release a list of legislators who have reportedly contracted second marriages. 

​Expressing strong confidence in the upcoming elections to the Legislative Council from the Teachers’ Constituency, Mr. Narayanaswamy stated that NDA candidate Shashil Namoshi would secure a decisive victory. He added that the alliance would win all four contested seats this time, surpassing its previous tally of three.

BJP district president Basavaraj Veebhutihalli, Sabanna Talwar, Lalita Anapur, Mahesh Reddy Mudnal, Rachanagouda Mudnal, Vilas Patil, Siddanagouda Kadamnor, Nagarathna Anapur, Devendra Nath Nad, Hanumanth Itagi, Siddareddy, and Sharanareddy Balakal were present at the press conference.