The last week has left the average Karnataka citizen bewildered . Just as he was recovering from the shock of a hike in electricity charges and the brazenness with which the state’s MLAs gave themselves huge salary increases, came another jolt.
Many of his “esteemed legislators” claimed to have fallen into a honey trap.” In fact, minister for cooperation K. N. Rajanna, a close associate of chief minister Siddaramaiah, told the state assembly that nearly 48 politicians, across the board, were “honey trapped ,”with attempts being made on him as well.
Subsequently, Rajendra, a member of legislative council and Rajanna’s son, declared that he met the chief minister and “ presented digital evidence on the alleged attempt against his father and him to honey trap them.” What did not come as a surprise, however, was his claim that “an influential minister was behind the honey trap episode.”
This apart, Satish Jarkiholi, minister for Public Works, also met the party leadership in New Delhi to apprise it of the development . State Congress sources maintained that the backward community leader had expressed fears that SC/ST legislators were being targeted with a purpose. Earlier, he had claimed that there was a “ “CD factory” in Karnataka which was engaged in trapping political leaders .”It needed to be exposed,” was his refrain.
Predictably ,the affair has set the cat among the pigeons, not only in the Congress but also the BJP and JD-S. This is because of the ensuing power struggle in the ruling party , with the prize being the coveted chief minister’s post. The development has put the Siddaramaiah government under the scanner, with senior leaders admitting that the affair had dented the party’s image.
The BJP too , meanwhile, is facing dissidence over the continuation of B.S. Vijayendra, son of former chief minister B.S.Yediyurappa, as the party’s state unit chief. Accordingly, it may not come as a surprise to learn that influential politicians would exploit all available opportunities to seek political dominance, according to an old Congress hand who sought anonymity.
Not surprisingly, most MLAs believe that they have fallen victim to the “honey trap” effort, following the machinations of politicians who want to get the “ CM’s gaddi.” In this context, the constant murmurs in the ruling party hinting at a possible split in the opposition BJP and the likelihood of the divided section joining the Congress, too , cannot be undermined.
Nor ,for that matter ,the grouping of Congress ministers and leaders from the backward sections , against the possibility of deputy chief minister, D.K.Shivakumar a Vokkaliga, being made the chief minister. They have been demanding that members from their community should get a crack at the CM’s post. G.Parameshwara, state Home Minister, and Sathish Jarkiholi, from the Siddaramaiah camp, are among the most vocal.
Accordingly, the honey trap allegations cannot be seen in isolation ,considering that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were contenders for the CM’s post, when the Congress romped home in 2023 polls. The central leaders of the ruling party had a tough time in deciding between the two stalwarts, initially, as both were influential in guiding the Congress to power.
While Siddaramaiah ultimately managed to get the nod, following his earlier experience as the state’s chief minister in 2013, Shivakumar could not help but sulk. Party insiders had later claimed that power would be shared between the two, with the incumbent vacating the chair for the deputy CM ,after completing 30 months in office. Even though there was no official indication to this effect at that time, Shivakumar has not been shy of hiding his ambition.
This also explains his repeated visits to various temples as also discreet suggestions by his supporters ,highlighting the 30-month deal. Surprisingly, in January this year, the CM did acknowledge the existence of a power sharing arrangement between him and Shivakumar .
This was not without a rider though that the ultimate decision would be taken by the party’s central leadership. Significantly, the CM’s initial acceptance about the deal had come after he had vehemently spiked all such possibilities in the past, asserting that he would complete his five-year tenure. This is perhaps what he wants to do ,today as well !.
Around the same time, the state saw hectic activity with Jarkiholi and Parameshwara holding meetings to plan their strategy even as Shivakumar’s supporters did not relent. As a matter of fact, Satish Jarkiholi even organised a dinner meeting where Siddaramaiah and a few Dalit ministers were present.
Ostensibly , the meet was held to discuss “ Shivakumar’s growing dominance and interference in party and government affairs,” with a section of the ministers ,resenting his alleged intrusion . Its meaning was not lost on the different camps in the party.
Intriguingly, Parameshwara, was also set to organise a similar meet but cancelled it ,following orders from the party’s leadership. It is learnt that a worried Shivakumar ,who was abroad ,had learnt about the meet and used his influence to get the dinner cancelled.
It is in the backdrop of these developments that the honey trap allegations assume relevance, though it would be naive to assume that the legislators were akin to a babe in the woods. In this context, Shivakumar’s response to the allegation that “ if someone says”Hi,” why do you respond with a Hello?” adds some bite.
Jarkiholi also added his bit, stating that ” if people had the willpower and experience to handle such situations, they would not be caught.” Whichever way one looks at it, honey trapping has become the ideal instrument for political dominance with technology , growth of smartphones and social media ,ruling the roost. Even leading to the affected playing the “victim card” in some cases.
Meanwhile, cracks have begun surfacing in the state Congress with some leaders maintaining that” only the willing could be deceived into a honey trap,” while noting that “ individuals were responsible for their actions.”
This is not the first time that the state’s politicians have found themselves facing such scandals. As a senior politician noted, Karnataka’s leaders have been known for becoming victims of sex scandals or falling prey to honey traps .
A quick walk down memory lane, indicates that the state witnessed its first case in 1973 when a minister in Devaraj Urs government was forced to resign on charges of sheltering a missing woman, He was accused of improper behaviour.
Likewise, from 2007 to 2023, the state witnessed a series of charges against ministers ,including one for harassment by a nurse against former BJP minister,M .P. Renukacharya . Later H.Halappa, another minister resigned following allegations of misconduct by a woman. He was acquitted subsequently.
Then there was the Porngate case in 2012 when three BJP ministers were caught watching “adult content” in the assembly. They had to relinquish their posts before re- emerging in politics later. Similarly, in 2016 ,H.Y.Meiti , minister in the Siddaramaiah government , quit following charges that he had sought favours from a woman in return for a job transfer.
If this was not all, Ramesh Jarkiholi,BJP minister and brother of Congress minister, Satish Jarkiholi, too quit in 2021 after facing similar allegations.
Even former chief minister Yediyurappa , is busy fighting a Prevention of Children and Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) case. If this was not enough, Prajwal Revanna, ex MP and grandson of former Prime Minister,Deve Gowda, is facing charges of sexual assault by several women. The matter is before the courts.
At the national level , the first known political fallout of a sex scandal related to the then deputy Prime Minister, Jagjivan Ram’s son,Suresh Kumar. The net result was that Jagjivan Ram, who had left the Congress to join the then Janata Party coalition, had to resign after photos of his son were leaked ,showing him in an intimate position with a student.
Importantly, Jagjivan Ram was on the verge of becoming Prime Minister at that time. The damage to the veteran’s political career was immense.
Incidentally, Karnataka alone does not take the cake in these matters with states like Kerala, UP, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, among others having their share of such affairs.