BENGALURU, Dec 12, 2025 — Karnataka BJP leader and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal have alleged that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar engaged in talks with leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) about potentially forming a government with their support — a proposal that, according to Yatnal, was rejected by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Yatnal made the claim while commenting on ongoing political maneuverings in the state amid reported internal power struggles within the ruling Congress party.
Yatnal’s Claims on Government Formation Talks
Yatnal, a vocal and controversial BJP MLA who was expelled from the party earlier this year, has been critical of both Congress and BJP leadership in Karnataka politics. He told reporters that Shivakumar purportedly held discussions in New Delhi with BJP figures seeking to bring a group of Congress MLAs into the saffron fold to facilitate the formation of a new government potentially sidelining incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
According to Yatnal, the plan was to have Shivakumar lead a faction of lawmakers out of Congress into the BJP’s camp. However, he claimed, senior BJP leadership, including Amit Shah, ultimately rejected backing such a proposal, apparently due to doubts over Shivakumar’s ability to muster significant support from MLAs. “If you read … it is clear the BJP high command will not join any government led by D.K. Shivakumar,” Yatnal said, dismissing the alleged move.
No Official Confirmation from BJP or Shivakumar
There has been no official confirmation from either the BJP leadership or Shivakumar himself regarding such talks. Party officials, including Karnataka BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, have previously dismissed claims that Shivakumar was in touch with Amit Shah on political realignment or government formation, calling them “fake news” circulated by Congress circles.
Shivakumar, who is also state Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister, has earlier denied speculation of defecting to the BJP or being involved in power games with the saffron party, and rebuffed rumours linked to him holding talks for a political switch.
Context: Ongoing Political Tensions in Karnataka
Karnataka’s political landscape has been marked by factional tensions within the Congress, with ongoing commentary on leadership positions, especially between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar’s supporters. Yatnal’s remarks come against this backdrop of internal dissent and speculative reporting on potential alliances and alignments.
Political analysts say such claims are common amid pre‑election speculation and intra‑party rivalries, but without confirmation from key stakeholders, they remain contested narratives in the state’s rapidly evolving political discourse.