Bengaluru, October 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Senior Karnataka MLA B. Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has alleged that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was “blackmailed and threatened” over a personal matter before he resigned from the post, claiming that the pressure left him with little room to respond.
Yatnal was reacting to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s recent warning to ministers to remain cautious about alleged sting operations by the BJP and JD(S).
Speaking to reporters, Yatnal claimed that several Congress MLAs had shared information with him about the circumstances surrounding Siddaramaiah’s resignation. He also alleged that there was a sudden change in the Congress leadership’s approach towards Siddaramaiah during a meeting involving Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi.
According to Yatnal, Rahul Gandhi had supported Siddaramaiah until lunch during the meeting and had described him as a backward-class leader who should travel across the country to strengthen the Congress.
Yatnal alleged that the position changed after lunch, when Siddaramaiah was reportedly asked to return to Bengaluru, tender his resignation and come back to Delhi.
He claimed Siddaramaiah subsequently returned to Bengaluru and resigned, appearing nervous following the developments.
Yatnal further questioned whether Siddaramaiah had been threatened with a sting operation involving a personal matter that could have damaged his reputation.
“There is a question that remains unanswered. Was Siddaramaiah threatened with a sting operation over some personal matter that could have damaged his honour? Siddaramaiah himself should clarify this,” Yatnal said.
The MLA also claimed that the matter had been discussed among Congress legislators and that details of the alleged sequence of events subsequently reached Opposition leaders.
Yatnal’s allegations come amid an ongoing political debate in Karnataka over the circumstances surrounding Siddaramaiah’s exit from the Chief Minister’s post and the subsequent change in the state’s leadership.
Siddaramaiah has not, in the statement referred to by Yatnal, responded to the specific allegation concerning an alleged threat or sting operation.
Yatnal, a former BJP leader, was suspended from the party over alleged anti-party activities.
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