Karnataka: BR Patil audio claims he introduced Siddaramaiah to Sonia Gandhi; row erupts

A senior Congress leader in Karnataka, BR Patil, has landed in the spotlight after two audio clips of his private conversations were leaked, sparking political controversy and exposing internal party discontent. Patil, an MLA and Deputy Chairman of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission, is heard expressing deep frustration over the party's functioning and his perceived marginalization.

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In one viral clip, Patil claims he played a pivotal role in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s rise to power, stating he was responsible for facilitating Siddaramaiah’s initial meeting with Sonia Gandhi. He describes Siddaramaiah’s ascent as a result of “luck” and “planetary alignment,” while lamenting his own lack of support or backing within the party.

During the same call, reportedly made from KR Pet in Mandya, Patil mentions a recent meeting with AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, suggesting that the party leadership had been unaware of his grievances until now. He concluded by stating that the matter now rests with the High Command and the Chief Minister.

The controversy deepened with a second clip surfacing just ten days earlier, in which Patil accuses officials associated with the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation of widespread corruption. He alleges that housing allocations were made in exchange for bribes, bypassing elected representatives’ recommendations.

These revelations have added fuel to existing tensions within the Congress party in Karnataka, as Patil’s candid comments raise questions about transparency, favoritism, and internal cohesion.