Bengaluru, March 21, 2025 – A political storm has erupted in Karnataka following explosive allegations from Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna, who claimed that 48 politicians, including MLAs and central leaders, have fallen victim to honey trap schemes. The startling revelation, made on the floor of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, has prompted Home Minister G. Parameshwara to order a high-level investigation into what Rajanna described as a “dangerous menace” plaguing the state’s political landscape.
The controversy surfaced during a budget session discussion on Thursday, March 20, when BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal alleged that honey trapping was being used as a tool to undermine legislators, with an eye on political leverage—possibly even the chief minister’s post. Rajanna, a close ally of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, not only confirmed the allegations but escalated them, admitting that he too had been targeted. “Karnataka has become a factory of CDs and pen drives,” he said, referring to the circulation of compromising videos allegedly used to blackmail politicians. “I have evidence. I will file a complaint, and the Home Minister must investigate to reveal who the producers and directors of this operation are.”
Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi added fuel to the fire, revealing that two unsuccessful honey trap attempts had been made on a senior minister—later implied to be Rajanna. “This isn’t new in Karnataka; it’s been happening for 20 years across all parties—Congress, BJP, JD(S),” Jarkiholi told reporters, emphasizing that such tactics have no place in politics. He joined the chorus calling for a thorough probe, a sentiment echoed by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who urged those affected to lodge formal police complaints.
The allegations paint a grim picture of Karnataka’s political underbelly, with lawmakers across party lines suggesting that honey trapping has become a weapon of choice for settling scores and gaining leverage. Rajanna’s claim of 48 victims, including prominent figures beyond the state, hints at a sprawling network that could extend to national politics. Adding a personal dimension, Rajanna’s son, MLC Rajendra Rajanna, told ANI that both he and his father had been harassed with suspicious calls and video attempts for the past six months, initially dismissed as routine but later recognized as part of a larger scheme.
The issue isn’t entirely new. Just last week, Karnataka Police arrested two women in Tumakuru district for allegedly honey trapping a BJP leader, Annappa Swamy, using intimate videos to extort money. That incident, coupled with historical cases—like the 2021 resignation of BJP minister Ramesh Jarkiholi over similar allegations—suggests a recurring pattern. Opposition voices, including BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar, have accused the Congress government of turning a blind eye to what they call a “honey-trap factory,” while BJP legislator Munirathna demanded a CBI probe into his own alleged framing in a rape case tied to such tactics.
Home Minister Parameshwara, responding to the uproar, assured the Assembly of a high-level investigation. “If we have to save the dignity of our members, we must put a brake on such incidents. It’s a serious issue,” he said, signaling the government’s intent to confront the scandal head-on. However, skepticism lingers, with critics like Yatnal warning that inaction could implicate the government itself.
As Karnataka grapples with this unfolding drama, the honey trap allegations threaten to deepen public distrust in its political class. With a probe now underway, the state waits to see if the “producers and directors” behind these schemes will be unmasked—or if this is just another chapter in a long, sordid saga of power and manipulation.