CM Will Face Suspicion if Sting Operation Is Not Seriously Investigated: Basavaraj Bommai

Gadag: Former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai said Chief Minister DK Shivakumar must take the sting operation controversy seriously and order a thorough investigation to establish the truth. If the Chief Minister raises the issue but fails to pursue an investigation, it will raise suspicions about him, Bommai said on Friday.

Speaking to the media in Gadag, Bommai said Shivakumar had himself brought up the sting operation issue and therefore had a responsibility to ensure that the truth emerged. “This is not an issue that can be raised through a statement and then forgotten while going about one’s business. It is a serious matter. If the Chief Minister has spoken about his Cabinet colleagues and then remains silent, what will happen to their position? He must take the matter seriously and ensure an investigation. Otherwise, if this continues, it will create grounds for suspicion against him,” Bommai said.

He also called for a detailed investigation into what he described as a possible larger conspiracy behind the creation and circulation of fake news through YouTube and other media platforms.

Bommai said media organisations and journalists should report facts and the truth rather than publish fake news or unsubstantiated information.

Criticising the Congress government in Karnataka, Bommai alleged that the ruling party and its leaders were creating disorder in the state. He said serious investigations must be conducted into every issue and those found guilty should be punished in accordance with the law. Investigations should not be limited to a superficial inquiry, he said, adding that those responsible must face stringent legal action.

Responding to a question about the cancellation of the increase in Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation in Karnataka, Bommai expressed confidence that the matter could be resolved through proper legal arguments before the Supreme Court, supported by consultations with legal experts and consensus among political parties. He cited Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand as examples of states with reservation levels exceeding the 50 per cent ceiling.

Bommai said the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Indra Sawhney case had set a 50 per cent ceiling on reservations. However, he noted that the Narendra Modi-led Union government subsequently introduced a constitutional amendment providing 10 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

He said Karnataka had increased reservations based on the Justice Nagamohan Das Committee report but alleged that the state government had failed to present its case effectively before the High Court.

“If these issues are properly presented before the Supreme Court, I am confident that justice can be secured,” he said.

Commenting on the Congress-led campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Bommai accused the party of attempting to blame the Election Commission and electronic voting machines (EVMs) out of frustration over electoral defeats.

He said he had always respected constitutional institutions and court verdicts.

Asked about AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks comparing the Congress and the BJP, Bommai said the Congress, a national party, had fallen to the level of the BJP. He added that Kharge’s statement was correct.