Sting op row: Siddaramaiah was blackmailed before resignation, alleges MLA Yatnal
Bengaluru: Reacting to Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s recent warning to ministers to remain cautious about sting operations by BJP and JD(S), senior MLA B. Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Thursday alleged that former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was “blackmailed and threatened” over a personal matter and was consequently rendered “voiceless” and compelled to resign from the post.
Speaking to reporters, former BJP leader Yatnal claimed that several Congress MLAs had shared details with him about the circumstances surrounding Siddaramaiah’s resignation. He 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 what several Congress MLAs have told us, until lunch, Rahul Gandhi, who had been supporting Siddaramaiah, had told him that he was a backward-class leader and that he should travel across the country and strengthen the party. But after lunch, Rahul Gandhi reportedly told Siddaramaiah just one thing — go back to Bengaluru, tender your resignation and return to Delhi,” Yatnal alleged.
Former BJP leader Yatnal said Siddaramaiah subsequently returned to Bengaluru and resigned, claiming that he appeared nervous following the developments.
He further raised questions over whether Siddaramaiah had been threatened with a sting operation relating to a personal matter that could have affected 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.
Yatnal alleged that Siddaramaiah had been put under pressure to such an extent that he was left with little room to respond or resist the decision.
The BJP MLA also claimed that the issue had been discussed among Congress legislators and that information about the sequence of events had 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 leadership in the State.
Siddaramaiah has not, in the statement referred to by Yatnal, responded to the specific allegation concerning an alleged threat or sting operation.
It can be noted that MLA Yatnal was suspended from BJP for alleged anti-party activities.