'I introduced Siddaramaiah to Sonia Gandhi': Leaked call of Congress MLA BR Patil triggers storm, Karnataka CM reacts, 'Yes, I’m...'

A leaked phone conversation featuring senior Congress MLA BR Patil has stirred up a new controversy in Karnataka. In the call, Patil claimed credit for introducing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to Sonia Gandhi and said it was “luck” and “planetary alignment” that helped Siddaramaiah rise to power.

‘He Won the Lottery,’ Patil Says in Leaked Call

As reported by TOI, the audio clip was recorded during Patil’s recent visit to KR Pet in Mandya. In the video, he is heard saying: “Siddaramaiah won the lottery. I was the one who first introduced him to Sonia Gandhi, but his stars aligned and he became CM.”

Patil repeated this claim later in the conversation, adding: “His fate was good, so he got the position, but I remained unlucky.” He used the Kannada word Grahachara (planetary alignment), to suggest that it was destiny, not merit, that led Siddaramaiah to become Chief Minister.


Patil also expressed frustration, saying, “See, we don’t have a godfather. In fact, there is neither ‘god’ nor ‘father’ for us,” hinting at feeling sidelined in the party.

Not the First Leak Involving Patil

Patil, a four-time MLA from Aland, had earlier served as political adviser to the CM, but later resigned, saying there were “some problems”. He was then appointed deputy chairman of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission.

This is not the first time Patil has been caught in a leaked audio controversy. He had earlier admitted that his voice was in another clip related to irregularities in housing allotments.

Congress in Damage Control Mode

The leak comes at a time when internal dissent is growing in Karnataka Congress. AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala is currently in Bengaluru to manage the situation and has been meeting party MLAs. Patil also met him on Monday.

In the call, Patil said, “I met Surjewala and he listened to me seriously... He said he wasn’t aware of these issues before. Now I’ve left everything to the high command and the CM. They’ll take the final call.”

Siddaramaiah Responds: ‘Yes, I’m Lucky’

When asked about the leaked remarks, Siddaramaiah simply said, “Yes, I’m lucky. That’s why I became Chief Minister.” Siddaramaiah and Patil were among eight MLAs who left JD(S) and joined Congress in 2006.

Patil Clarifies: ‘Media Twisting My Words’

Later, Patil released a statement saying his words were being misrepresented. “Electronic media and social media are twisting my statements and trying to tarnish my image,” he said.

Patil explained that he was speaking to a close friend when Siddaramaiah’s name came up. “I said he was lucky to become CM. I never said I introduced him to Sonia Gandhi. I only said I was with him during that meeting.”

He also added, “Siddaramaiah is a mass leader. I’m not powerful enough to make him CM. Some people are trying to damage our relationship on purpose.”

Inputs from TOI