Davanagere: BJP Parliamentary Board member and former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has alleged that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and several other leaders conspired to remove Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from office, intensifying the political dispute within Karnataka’s ruling Congress.
Speaking to reporters in Davanagere on Sunday, Yediyurappa claimed that a systematic attempt had been made to dislodge Siddaramaiah and create political instability in the state. He questioned the Chief Minister’s tolerance of the alleged developments and said the truth would emerge soon.
Yediyurappa also accused Shivakumar of being driven by power and showing little willingness to correct his mistakes. However, he did not provide specific evidence to substantiate the allegation of a conspiracy.
The BJP leader’s remarks come amid continuing political speculation over the relationship between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who are the two most prominent leaders in the Karnataka Congress government.
Yediyurappa alleges conspiracy against Siddaramaiah
Yediyurappa alleged that several leaders, including Shivakumar, were involved in a plan to remove Siddaramaiah from the Chief Minister’s post.
He said the alleged effort was systematic and intended not only to change the state’s leadership but also to create confusion in Karnataka’s political environment.
The former Chief Minister expressed surprise at Siddaramaiah’s response to the situation, questioning why he continued to tolerate developments that Yediyurappa described as an attempt to undermine his position.
Yediyurappa maintained that the truth would eventually come out. His remarks added to the political debate surrounding the Congress government and the relationship between its senior leaders.
The allegations, however, remain claims made by the BJP leader. No supporting evidence was provided in the remarks reported, and the statement does not establish that Shivakumar or other Congress leaders participated in a conspiracy against Siddaramaiah.
BJP targets Shivakumar over leadership dispute
Yediyurappa also criticised Shivakumar directly, alleging that the Deputy Chief Minister was intoxicated by power and unwilling to acknowledge or correct his mistakes.
The comments reflect the BJP’s criticism of the Congress leadership amid speculation about the distribution of power within the state government.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar occupy key positions in the Karnataka administration, and any disagreement between them has the potential to become a major political issue for the ruling party.
The BJP has frequently used questions surrounding the Congress leadership to challenge the government’s stability and political credibility. Yediyurappa’s latest remarks add to that line of criticism.
However, allegations of an internal conspiracy should be distinguished from confirmed developments. The claims made by Yediyurappa do not, by themselves, establish that a formal plan to remove Siddaramaiah existed.
Yediyurappa criticises government over drought
Apart from the alleged leadership conspiracy, Yediyurappa accused the Congress government of neglecting the drought situation and the hardships faced by farmers and other residents.
He said the administration had failed to give adequate attention to the problems confronting the public, describing its approach as irresponsible.
The BJP leader also criticised the government’s style of functioning despite the Congress having a substantial majority in the Legislative Assembly.
He likened the administration to a “Tughlaq-style” government, using the phrase to accuse it of arbitrary and chaotic decision-making.
Yediyurappa argued that the government should be held accountable for its handling of public issues and said voters should respond at the next election.
His comments placed the drought situation and farmers’ concerns alongside the political dispute over the state’s leadership.
Govind Karjol calls for action over sting operations
Meanwhile, Chitradurga MP Govind Karjol criticised what he described as low-level politics and called for stronger action against people involved in allegedly improper sting operations.
Karjol said political leaders should act as role models for society rather than engage in conduct he compared to that of “demons”.
He called for an end to such political practices and demanded strict legal action against those responsible for sting operations that violate the law.
His remarks highlighted another dimension of the controversy: the use of recordings and sting operations in political disputes.
However, the legality of any particular operation depends on the circumstances, the methods used and the applicable law. Karjol’s demand for action does not establish that a specific offence has occurred.
He argued that political competition should not descend into conduct that undermines public trust or the standards expected of elected representatives.
Karnataka politics faces renewed scrutiny
The statements by Yediyurappa and Karjol have brought renewed attention to the political tensions surrounding the Congress government.
Yediyurappa’s allegation places Shivakumar at the centre of an alleged effort to remove Siddaramaiah, while his criticism of the government also focuses on drought relief and farmers’ difficulties.
Karjol, meanwhile, has called for legal accountability over alleged misconduct involving sting operations.
The remarks reflect the BJP’s broader effort to question the Congress government’s leadership and administration. Whether the allegations concerning Siddaramaiah’s position lead to further political developments remains uncertain.
For now, Yediyurappa’s claims remain allegations rather than established findings. The political debate is likely to continue as the Congress leadership faces scrutiny over internal cohesion, governance and its response to the state’s public concerns.