The allegations were made during the Budget when BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal alleged that someone was trying to trap Co-operative Minister Rajanna in a honey trap.
In the last two days, News18 Kannada
exclusively broke a story regarding a honey trap attempt on the senior minister from the Tumkuru region. The minister’s name was not disclosed given the sensitivity of the case.
But PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi made the revelation. He told the media, “It’s true that someone is trying to attempt a honey trap on Minister KN Rajanna and I have suggested that he bring it to the Home Minister’s notice for further action.”
The case took an interesting turn after Yatnal raised the issue in the Assembly. He categorically mentioned Rajanna’s name and requested speaker UT Khader to investigate the case. Yatnal said, “Karnataka is a good cultured developed state. However according to a few media reports, a honey trap on the cooperative minister is attempted. I request the home minister and Chief minister to investigate the matter.”
Karnataka BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has written to State Home Minister G Parameshwara requesting that the case regarding alleged attempts to honeytrap ministers and political leaders be handed over to the CBI. pic.twitter.com/SHfkTgjkGQ
— ANI (@ANI) March 21, 2025
Shocking revelation by Rajanna
After Yatnal named the minister in the session, Rajanna gave a detailed reply and made shocking revelations about the honey trap industry.
Rajanna said, “Karnataka has become a factory for pendrives and CDs. I am not saying this, people are murmuring. According to my information, there are a total of 48 people who have been affected by this.”
Referring to both the ruling and the Opposition leaders, he added “There are many leaders who have brought stay order from the court on not to publish it. Those guys are sitting this side and that side also.”
Rajanna disclosed the honey trap menace is troubling the central leadership of both parties. He said, “This is not limited to our state alone. This includes pen drives of many national-level party leaders. In this regard, I request the state Home Minister that I will file a written complaint. Based on that complaint, he should get an investigation done.”
Who are the producers? Who are the directors?
Rajanna also demanded a deeper investigation into the matter and naming the culprits in the public domain. “Who are the producers? Who are the directors? Let all this come out in public. Who are the actors? Let everyone know,” he asked.
Rajanna showed empathy towards HD Revanna’s family. He said, “It’s a shame that Revanna’s family have come under attack. Now I have evidence that they have attempted to honey trap me too. In this regard, I demand that the Home Minister conduct a special investigation and reveal all the details of who they are.”
State Home Minister assures high-level probe
Many legislators supported Rajanna and asked state Home Minister DR G Parmeshwar for an investigation into the honey trap allegation. “We have to put a full stop to it. Karnataka legislature has great respect in the country. Even my father was a member of the Upper House. Many great personalities had been members of this house. They have made great contributions. To keep the pride of the House, we have to finish this menace. Now Rajanna said that he would give a written complaint. Once we receive the complaint, I will order a high-level investigation” Parmeshwar declared.
Rajanna’s son also alleges honey trap attempts
Rajanna’s son and a Member of the Legislative Council Rajendra exclusively spoke to News18 regarding the allegations. He said, “Not only for my father, even numerous attempts are being made to trap me. In the last six months, some are trying to honey trap me. I am getting messages, and video calls continuously. I will also give a complaint,” he told News18.
“I don’t know whether our party men or Opposition is doing it. But what’s happening is not good for the politics. Thorough investigation should be done,” he said.
Is there any political angle? Why chronology matters?
According to the source, the honey trap allegation made by the minister and his son is true. But the question is, why did the powerful minister in Siddaramaiah cabinet Rajanna bring it to public notice? That too in the session? This question is doing a round in political and public circles in the state.
As everyone senses that all is not well within the ruling party in the state, this kind of development strengthens the doubts of power struggle. According to popular belief, Rajanna is a staunch supporter of CM Siddaramaiah. In recent times, he also faced corruption charges in the MUDA case. Another interesting aspect we saw is, that even before Rajanna spoke in session, another supporter of Siddaramaiah and powerful minister Satish Jarkiholi spoke about the honey trap case, and suggested Rajanna make a complaint.
Interestingly, during the previous BJP government, Jarkiholi’s brother and then minister Ramesh Jarkiholi resigned following allegations of honey trap and sexual assault cases.
Even in the House, Rajanna didn’t speak voluntarily. As today’s discussion was on Budget, BJP MLA Yatnal brought up the matter at the end of his speech. At present, rebel Yatnal often receives support from Ramesh.
But some pertinent questions arise in the matter. Who is the enemy? Or we can ask the common enemy? Who is doing a honey trap? What will they get? Why to target Rajanna? Why did Rajanna bring it to public notice in the session in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s absence?
In the recent decade, Karnataka politics has seen the worst form of corruption charges, sex scandals, Operation Kamala, Operation Hasta, and many more. But, honey trapping for political gains is a new low. Thus,the people of Karnataka want a full stop to this. This is the time. Even Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar has assured a high-level investigation. Will the truth come out? Will culprits face punishment? The state of Karnataka is waiting for the outcome.
