Allegations of Blackmail Surround Siddaramaiahs Resignation in Karnataka

Bengaluru, October 8 (Daily Kiran) : Senior legislator B. Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has made serious allegations regarding the resignation of former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Speaking in Bengaluru, Yatnal responded to recent warnings from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, urging ministers to be cautious of sting operations by the BJP and JD(S).

Yatnal claimed that Siddaramaiah was “blackmailed and threatened” over a personal issue, which he said left him “helpless” and forced to resign. The former BJP leader revealed that multiple Congress legislators informed him about the circumstances surrounding Siddaramaiah’s resignation.

He alleged a sudden shift in the Congress leadership’s attitude toward Siddaramaiah following a meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sonia Gandhi. According to Yatnal, prior to lunch, Rahul Gandhi had been supportive of Siddaramaiah, suggesting he should strengthen the party by traveling across the country as a leader of the backward classes. However, after lunch, Yatnal claimed that Gandhi instructed Siddaramaiah to return to Bengaluru and submit his resignation before heading back to Delhi.

Following this meeting, Siddaramaiah reportedly returned to Bengaluru and resigned, appearing anxious in the aftermath. Yatnal raised concerns about whether Siddaramaiah had been threatened with a sting operation linked to a personal matter that could tarnish his reputation.

“There is a question that remains unanswered. Was Siddaramaiah threatened with a sting operation regarding a personal issue that could damage his honor? He should clarify this,” Yatnal stated. He emphasized that Siddaramaiah was under so much pressure that he had little room to respond or oppose the decision.

Yatnal also noted that the issue had sparked discussions among Congress legislators, and the details of the events eventually reached opposition leaders. His allegations come amid ongoing political debates surrounding Siddaramaiah’s departure from the chief ministership and leadership changes in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah has not publicly addressed the specific allegations of threats or the sting operation mentioned by Yatnal. It is also worth noting that Yatnal was suspended from the BJP for alleged anti-party activities.