Hubballi: Basavaraj Horatti demands CBI probe into sting operation case

Hubballi: Former Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti has demanded a CBI investigation into the sting operation case in Karnataka, alleging that a larger network is behind it. He called for a thorough investigation to identify and punish everyone responsible, irrespective of their position.

Speaking to reporters, Horatti said ethical values in politics were declining. He said sting operations targeting politicians and ministers brought disrepute to the state and stressed that an investigation must establish who was behind the case.

MLAs and ministers should serve as role models for society, and such developments should not be allowed in the political system, he said. Recalling the phone-tapping controversy during the tenure of former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde, Horatti said Hegde had resigned at the time. He called for the truth in the present case to be established and the guilty to be punished.

Horatti said he would urge the Chief Minister and the state government to hand over the case to the CBI. He regretted that Karnataka was now drawing national attention over sting operation controversies, whereas former Chief Minister Devaraj Urs had focused on land reforms and S.M. Krishna had encouraged the growth of the IT and BT sectors.

Commenting on the ongoing sugarcane farmers’ protest, Horatti said he understood the difficulties faced by growers, including water shortages, as he too cultivated sugarcane. He described the farmers’ demands as justified and urged the Union government to intervene immediately.

He called for a 75 per cent increase in the price of sugarcane, followed by further increases in phases, to ensure justice for farmers. Protecting farmers’ interests was the responsibility of both the state and central governments, he said.

Commenting on the election, Horatti said 75 to 80 per cent of voters had already decided whom to support, while persuading the remaining 20 per cent would be crucial.

He said public sentiment had shown a shift over the past two to three days and that the BJP had a good chance. Despite differing opinions over candidate selection and the election, he said he hoped the election would be conducted well.