Bengaluru, October 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Siddaramaiah on Friday alleged that a journalist and Congress leader Krupa Alva of Mangaluru were involved in a sting operation aimed at blackmailing him and damaging his public image through false allegations.
Speaking to the media at the Suttur branch mutt in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said the matter came to his notice in September and that he had voluntarily lodged a police complaint to ensure the truth emerged.
“A journalist and Krupa Alva of Mangaluru have joined hands to carry out this operation,” he alleged, maintaining that the accusations against him were baseless. He said he had also approached the court to prevent the spread of alleged false claims and a smear campaign.
Siddaramaiah asserted that he had not faced such allegations during his eight years as Chief Minister or throughout his long political career. Describing the episode as an example of blackmail tactics in politics, he said he had committed no wrongdoing and did not need anyone’s moral support.
Taking a swipe at those commenting on the controversy for political gain, he said they were free to continue making statements, but stressed that the investigation must identify those behind the alleged conspiracy.
He expressed confidence in the government’s investigation and said there was no need for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or another high-level probe. He added that the investigation would establish whether people from within the Congress or the Opposition were involved.
The controversy took a fresh turn after his son, Karnataka Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, alleged that people within the Congress were behind the sting operation.
Yathindra claimed the operation was intended to tarnish his father’s image, undermine his four-decade political legacy and blackmail him. He said a video purportedly showed the involvement of some Congress leaders and a senior media figure, and called for an investigation to determine whether they acted independently or at someone else’s direction.
However, Yathindra said he was not accusing any particular individual and maintained that the facts should emerge through the investigation.
Asked about the alleged involvement of Congress leaders, he referred to a woman leader whose role was purportedly indicated in the video. He said she had reportedly discussed seeking a Congress ticket to contest from the Puttur Assembly constituency.
“Prima facie, it appears that the sting operation may have been carried out for that reason,” Yathindra said, adding that the alleged involvement of one party worker should not be taken as evidence that the entire Congress had conspired against his father.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the sting operation and determine who, if anyone, was behind it.
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