Mysuru: Even as the ‘sting operation’ row has continued to hit headlines in the State, with charges being traded almost every other day between the ruling Congress and the Opposition JD(S), District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah has demanded stringent action against all those behind the alleged sting operation and those who made the videos viral in social media with an intention of bringing discredit and dishonour to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Speaking to presspersons here yesterday, Dr. Yathindra said that action must be taken against all those involved the ‘sting operation’, right from hatching the plot till making the video viral.

“Though I had accompanied Siddaramaiah during his recent visit to Delhi, I was not there when the he met Rahul Gandhi. Only Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah were closeted together during the meeting, during which the former CM has apprised the top Congress leader on everything about the sting operation,” he said.

Stating that he has trust on the ongoing investigation being carried out by the State Government, Dr. Yathindra said Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh has said that the sting operation video was uploaded at the residence of Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy at New Delhi. But as Siddaramaiah has expressed his doubts about who actually conducted the sting operation, there should be a fair and deep investigation into the matter.

“As the investigation is on, everyone should wait patiently until it gets over in full. It is not correct to be impatient or in a hurry right now, with the investigation reaching an important phase. It is hoped that ultimately the truth in the entire episode will come out,” he maintained.

Referring to the hike in the prices of milk and milk products, Dr. Yathindra defended the hike saying that out of the Rs. 8 hike, Rs. 7 will go to the farmers, while only Re. 1 will go to Milk Unions. “The price hike was inevitable as farmers were distraught due to drought and mounting milk production costs,” he argued.