BJP claims Lokayukta investigation into CM Siddaramaiah is staged

Bengaluru
The BJP has accused the Lokayukta investigation into Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of being rigged. Opposition leaders R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy questioned the timing and conduct of the probe, labeling it as scripted.
Speaking at a press conference, Ashoka pointed out that the Chief Minister’s travel plan, released before the investigation, indicated that Siddaramaiah would attend the Lokayukta questioning from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and then travel to his Channapatna constituency. He raised doubts on how the CM knew the investigation would conclude in exactly two hours.
Ashoka expressed disappointment, stating that the Chief Minister, who claims his political career is transparent, was being questioned by an officer who works under him. He further questioned if the investigation process was predetermined, citing how Enforcement Directorate raids typically last much longer.
Ashoka also criticized the timing of the questioning, pointing out the unusual practice of calling the third and fourth accused before the prime accused, with officers allegedly questioning Siddaramaiah’s wife first. He questioned whether the CM had influence over the timing and flow of the investigation.