Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra accuses Congress of sting-and-blackmail history
Synopsis
Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra has flipped the script on CM D.K. Shivakumar's sting-operation concerns, alleging Congress itself has a documented history of orchestrating such operations for blackmail. He also levelled unverified extortion claims against an unnamed influential leader, raising the political temperature sharply ahead of local body polls.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka BJP President B.Y.
Vijayendra on 7 October alleged in Gadag that Congress has a history of running sting operations to blackmail people.
He cited Congress Minister H.K.
Patil as a reference point for the sting-and-blackmail allegation without elaborating further.
Vijayendra alleged ministers are being told to switch off phones and accept bribes, demanding CM D.K.
Shivakumar clarify who is running such a system.
An unnamed influential leader allegedly demanded real estate businessmen double a payment from Rs 75 to Rs 150 , according to Vijayendra.
No final decision has been taken on a BJP-JD(S) alliance for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections.
Vijayendra declined to discuss suspended leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal's return until after the Ganeshotsav festival.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra on Wednesday, 7 October alleged that the Congress has a long-standing history of orchestrating sting operations and deploying them as blackmail tools — a charge he made while speaking to reporters in Gadag, Karnataka. He said the claim could be verified by speaking to Congress's own ministers and legislators.
What Vijayendra Alleged
Vijayendra was responding to concerns raised by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over alleged sting operations being conducted against Karnataka Ministers by the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S). Rather than defending his party, Vijayendra turned the accusation around.
'If you ask Minister H.K. Patil about the history of conducting stings and blackmailing, it will be enough. I will not go into who did what or who is responsible,' Vijayendra said.
He further alleged that the situation in the state had deteriorated to the point where ministers were reportedly being advised to switch off their mobile phones, shut doors, and accept bribes. 'The Chief Minister must clarify who is running such a system,' he added.
Extortion Claims Against an Unnamed Leader
Vijayendra made an additional serious allegation, claiming that a highly influential but unnamed leader had recently summoned real estate businessmen and instructed them to switch off their mobile phones ahead of discussions.
'Till now, you were paying Rs 75, but from now on you have to pay Rs 150. When a businessman said he could not pay that much, he was allegedly told to leave the state,' Vijayendra claimed. He called on Chief Minister Shivakumar to identify this individual and inform the public.
BJP-JD(S) Alliance for Panchayat Polls Still Undecided
On the question of an electoral alliance, Vijayendra clarified that no final decision had been reached between the BJP and JD-S for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections. He said he had spoken to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on the matter, and indicated that clarity on local body elections was necessary before committing to a joint Assembly election strategy.
'Both parties need to sit together and discuss the matter. There is still time for the elections, so a decision will be taken after discussions,' he said.
Attacks on Shivakumar and Other Remarks
Vijayendra also alleged that efforts were being made to intimidate BJP workers, Hindu activists, and religious leaders. He sharpened his personal attack on the Chief Minister, saying Shivakumar 'was under the illusion that he himself would be the Chief Minister after 2028' and that this frustration was driving his current behaviour.
On a query regarding suspended BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal's potential return to the party, Vijayendra said Yatnal had remained quiet for the past month and asked that the issue not be pressed during the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival, adding he would address it later.
The escalating war of words between the BJP and the ruling Congress over sting operations signals deepening political tensions in Karnataka ahead of the state's local body elections.
Point of View
Both sides are accusing each other of sting operations, suggesting the tactic has become a routine instrument of Karnataka politics rather than an aberration. With Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections looming and the BJP-JD(S) alliance still unresolved, this rhetoric serves a dual purpose: pressuring the Congress government and signalling strength to a potential coalition partner.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra allege against the Congress?
B.Y. Vijayendra alleged that the Congress has a history of conducting sting operations and using them to blackmail people, suggesting the party's own ministers and legislators can confirm this. He made the remarks in Gadag on 7 October while responding to CM D.K. Shivakumar's concerns about alleged sting operations by the BJP and JD-S.
What did Vijayendra say about Minister H.K. Patil?
Vijayendra named Minister H.K. Patil as someone who could speak to the Congress's history of sting operations and blackmail, without elaborating on specifics. He said: 'If you ask Minister H.K. Patil about the history of conducting stings and blackmailing, it will be enough.'
What extortion allegation did Vijayendra make?
Vijayendra alleged that an unnamed but highly influential leader called real estate businessmen for a meeting, had them switch off their phones, and then demanded they double a payment from Rs 75 to Rs 150. He claimed a businessman who refused was told to leave the state, and called on CM Shivakumar to identify and name this person.
Have the BJP and JD-S finalised an alliance for Karnataka's upcoming panchayat elections?
No. Vijayendra confirmed that no final decision has been taken on a BJP-JD(S) alliance for the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections. He said both parties need to sit together for discussions and that clarity on local body polls is a prerequisite for any commitment on future Assembly elections.
What did Vijayendra say about suspended BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal?
Vijayendra said Yatnal had remained quiet for the past month and asked reporters not to press the issue during the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival, indicating he would address Yatnal's potential return to the BJP at a later date.
