Aday after six ministers approached a Bengaluru city court seeking ex-parterestraining order against media houses from publishing or airing 'defamatory'content in the sleaze CD case, Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai onSaturday expressed strong suspicion that 'some forces' could well be trying tocreate political instability in the state by resorting to blackmail with thisepisode.
RameshJarkiholi was forced to resign from his minister's post on Wednesday afterBengaluru-based social activist Dinesh Kallahalli released a CD containingJarkiholi getting intimate with a woman allegedly luring her to a governmentjob on Tuesday evening.
Leadingto half a dozen Karnataka ministers approaching court for preventing mediahouses from publishing any content that was deem to be defamatory.
Bommaitold reporters that there is reason for his suspicion as even after five daysneither the victim has come forward nor the complainant disclosed anythingbeyond what is already in public domain as the police investigates in theJarkiholi case.
"Suchlong delays either by victim or by complainant can only mean one thing: a'bigger political conspiracy' could well be at play in order to create politicalinstability in the state. As a result of this, few ministers and MLAs mighthave felt it appropriate to take legal recourse to protect theirreputation," the Minister, who also holds the law portfolio, said.
Respondingto a question, Bommai said those who have got a whiff of strong rumours haveeither already approached or are in the process of approaching the court.
"Thepolice are also investigating this (Jarkiholi) case from all possible angles,including honeytrap," he said in response to a question.
Interactingwith the media, Karnataka co-operation minister, S.T. Somashekhar revealed thatthe remaining 10 ministers who have crossed over to the BJP will also approachthe court to seek similar reprieve.
Hewas reacting to reporters querying about him filing a petition in city court onFriday evening. Somashekhar said that it had become all the more important tosafeguard their 'reputation' from being tarnished for political vendetta.
"Maligningis the biggest weapon in the hands of our political rivals. This is only aprecautionary measure," he said.
Theminister said that their rivals are planning to 'release fake CDs' and ensurethat all those who have come from other parties to BJP will be prime targets,therefore, all (defectors) resorted to this step.
"We,all 15, will call for a press conference in a day or two to reveal more aboutsuch blackmail tricks," he said.
Answeringa question, the minister claimed that they have worked hard to reach thisposition and they will not allow anyone to tarnish their images.
KarnatakaAgriculture Minister, B.C. Patil justifying his decision to approach the courtsaid that their reputation was at stake. "We have a lot of rivals as weare successful and manage our portfolios very well. As a result of this, wehave earned our share of enemies too. Therefore, we got a 'hint' from our wellwishers that before rivals strike with fake CDs, we have opted for preventivemeasure," he said.