BJP's Yediyurappa Alleges CM Shivakumar Part of Plot to Dethrone Siddaramaiah

Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has joined the political storm over the alleged sting operation in Karnataka, claiming that Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and others carried out a systematic conspiracy to remove Siddaramaiah from the post. Speaking in Davangere on Sunday, October 18, 2026, he also launched a broader attack on the Shivakumar government.

The Allegation

Yediyurappa said it is known to everyone that Shivakumar and several others got together and conspired systematically to bring Siddaramaiah down. He said that Siddaramaiah was watching everything calmly, hinting that the former chief minister was aware of the developments and was waiting for the right moment to respond. The claim echoes the allegations made earlier by Union Minister and JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy, who has accused the Chief Minister and a journalist of orchestrating a sting operation against Siddaramaiah, which Kumaraswamy says led to his removal from office. The allegations have not been proven, and Shivakumar has not accepted them.

Attack on the Government

Yediyurappa also criticised the way the government is functioning. He said that when a party gets an overwhelming majority, it can be seen how it can run a "Tughlaq darbar," a reference to arbitrary and erratic rule, and he added that despite plenty of criticism, the Shivakumar government is not ready to correct itself. He said the government is doing whatever it wants in the arrogance of power and that the people would teach it a lesson. He told supporters that the people have no other way but to give a fitting reply in the next election and claimed that the Congress would have no one left to light a lamp in its party offices.

BJP-JD(S) Unity

The BJP leader said the BJP and the JD(S) would fight the next election together, underlining the alliance between the two parties in the state. The comments came as the allies seek to use the sting operation row to put pressure on the government. Earlier in the week, Kumaraswamy led protests demanding the arrest of the alleged masterminds and a Special Investigation Team probe, and the BJP has been echoing the demand for accountability.

Background of the Row

The controversy centres on a purported sting video related to Siddaramaiah, which began circulating on social media in recent weeks. Siddaramaiah has strongly denied any wrongdoing and described the footage as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his political career, saying he is entirely innocent. Siddaramaiah stepped down as chief minister earlier this year, and Shivakumar took over in June. The Chief Minister has said that attempts were also made to trap him through sting operations and that he knows who was behind them, though he has not named names in the reports.

Congress Leaders React

The Congress has rejected the allegations of a conspiracy. State Home Minister Priyank Kharge has asked Kumaraswamy to submit any evidence to the police or the courts instead of making statements without proof, and has said that a proper investigation is under way. On Friday night, Shivakumar visited Siddaramaiah at his residence in Mysuru, a meeting that was seen as an attempt to show unity. The Chief Minister later said that he had met his leader and discussed a few matters as part of his duty.

Politics Ahead

The exchange shows how the sting operation row has become a major political battleground. The opposition is trying to portray the Congress as divided and its leadership as untrustworthy, while the ruling party insists that it is the victim of baseless attacks. The investigation into the video and the claims made by various leaders will determine whether the allegations stand up or fade away. Until then, the war of words is likely to continue.

This report is based on published news coverage and statements attributed to the leaders involved. The allegations have not been independently verified.