Belagavi, Dec 12 — Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Friday stirred a major political controversy by alleging that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and state BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra held discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the formation of a new government in Karnataka.
According to Yatnal, the meeting was arranged by Vijayendra, who allegedly accompanied Shivakumar to Delhi to finalise a “power-sharing arrangement” involving the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister posts. He claimed that the discussions were held at a five-star hotel, about 28.5 kilometres from Delhi, and that the “business” between Shivakumar and the BJP leadership had been settled before being presented to Shah.
However, Yatnal asserted that Amit Shah rejected the proposal outright. “Amit Shah refused to give his consent to forming a government with Shivakumar. He instead suggested dissolving the Assembly. This is official information confirmed by a BJP Lok Sabha member,” he alleged.
Yatnal further said that Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also shared Shah’s view that the BJP should not attempt to form a government with any Congress leader in Karnataka. As per Yatnal’s claims, the plan envisaged Shivakumar becoming the Chief Minister and Vijayendra the Deputy Chief Minister—an arrangement that “collapsed” due to Shah’s disapproval.
“With their plans failing, both leaders have remained silent. Shivakumar is now focusing on securing the Chief Minister’s post within the Congress itself,” Yatnal added.
Meanwhile, D.K. Shivakumar has strongly refuted speculation about joining the BJP. He reiterated that the Congress was like his “mother” and that he would “never betray it.” Shivakumar also recalled that during his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, he was offered a choice between joining the BJP or going to Tihar Jail—“and I chose jail,” he said.
The allegations have intensified political tensions amid ongoing murmurs of leadership change within the ruling Congress government in Karnataka.
