Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Friday claimed that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and state BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to explore possibilities of forming a government in Karnataka.
Yatnal alleged that despite discussions, Amit Shah rejected the proposal outright. The claim comes amid rumours of a possible leadership change within the ruling Congress government between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy.
Amit Shah Suggested Dissolving the Assembly
Speaking to reporters, Yatnal said, “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will not easily hand over the CM post to this candidate (Shivakumar). Talks have already taken place between Shivakumar and the BJP leadership. Vijayendra took Shivakumar to Delhi. The ‘business’ regarding the CM and Deputy CM posts was finalised between them. But Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not agree.”
He further claimed that Amit Shah not only refused the arrangement but suggested dissolving the Assembly instead. “This is official information, confirmed by a BJP Lok Sabha member,” Yatnal added.
According to him, the meeting, held at a five-star hotel about 28.5 km from Delhi, was attended by Shivakumar and Vijayendra, who allegedly negotiated over the top two posts. “They discussed everything in front of Amit Shah, but he did not agree,” Yatnal asserted.
He also said Union Minister Pralhad Joshi holds the same view, insisting that the BJP would not form a government with any Congress leader in Karnataka.
Yatnal claimed that the informal agreement between the two leaders was for Shivakumar to become Chief Minister and Vijayendra the Deputy Chief Minister. “But Amit Shah’s refusal collapsed their plan. Now they are silent, and Shivakumar is trying to become CM within the Congress party itself,” he said.
Shivakumar has earlier dismissed speculation of joining the BJP, insisting that the Congress is “like a mother” to him. He had also stated that during his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, he was given only two options—join the BJP or go to Tihar Jail—and he chose the latter.
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