Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 21: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly remained engulfed in a heated debate for the second consecutive day on Friday over the honey trap controversy, with the BJP alleging that the issue stemmed from an internal power struggle within the ruling Congress.
BJP leaders claimed that a Congress member had asked their MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal to raise the issue in the House, questioning the turmoil within the grand old party.
BJP general secretary and MLA V Sunil Kumar asserted that a cabinet minister and a Congress MLC had claimed attempts were made to honeytrap them. He said the controversy reflected an ongoing power tussle and demanded the immediate sacking of any minister found involved.
“If this is not done, no moral standing will remain. What was the intelligence department doing when a minister was allegedly honey-trapped? If any Congress or BJP leader is involved, action must be taken,” Kumar demanded.
Leader of the opposition R Ashoka said the matter should be investigated by a sitting high court judge. “If a minister himself feels insecure, what about others? This is a dangerous trend. How far will people go to secure political power?” he questioned.
State BJP president B Y Vijayendra also stressed the need for a thorough probe.
Minister Priyank Kharge agreed with Kumar’s concerns and said, “Morality should be upheld. As representatives of lakhs of people, our conduct matters.”
Former home minister and BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra recalled that even a Chief Minister had previously expressed concerns over the threat of physical assault. “If legislators and ministers are not safe from such plots, politics has hit rock bottom,” he said.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Suresh Gowda alleged that Yatnal had received a note from a Congress minister before raising the issue in the house. “This must be investigated. What is really happening within the Congress?” he asked.
As the political storm raged on, all eyes are now on the government’s next move in addressing the explosive allegations.