BJP state unit president B.Y. Vijayendra claimed on Monday that more than 25 Congress members — including ministers — were prepared to join his party once the next Assembly election was called. Responding to that claim, state Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar told journalists in New Delhi that Vijayendra should act on it without hesitation, proceeding at once if Congress members were genuinely prepared to switch sides.
Vijayendra, speaking to reporters on Monday, said Congress legislators had grown disillusioned with Shivakumar, and suggested that such internal discontent within the ruling party could lead some members to cross over to the BJP. Shivakumar, in turn, urged Vijayendra to promptly extend an open door to any Congress legislators prepared to switch their allegiance, and asked why the BJP leader had not yet brought the individuals in question into his party's fold.
The BJP state president added that the party intends to press ahead with its campaign against the Congress-led administration, with a foot march across the state forming part of the planned activities. Vijayendra cited the Assembly tenures under B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai as the basis for his view that the BJP would reclaim power in the 2028 state elections, saying those governments had directed their efforts toward marginalised populations, agricultural workers, and the broader public across various segments of society.
Shivakumar also directed a challenge at H.D. Kumaraswamy, who holds the posts of Janata Dal (Secular) state president and Union Minister. The Chief Minister noted that Kumaraswamy had set out to name 12 assembly members who, by his account, had cast their ballots in favour of the Congress candidate during Legislative Council polling held approximately two months prior.
During the same address, Shivakumar turned attention to cross-voting that had occurred in the Rajya Sabha elections, directing the allegation at the BJP–JD(S) alliance and noting that both Kumaraswamy and Vijayendra had yet to name which members within their own ranks had cast ballots contrary to the alliance's preferred candidates. He stated that a number of senior figures within that grouping had voted in favour of Congress.
Vijayendra also addressed allegations tied to a reported sting operation, telling those present that the state of political affairs in Karnataka had reached a point where public confidence in elected representatives was being eroded. He claimed that available accounts pointed to certain Congress party figures using such methods as a means of acquiring political influence, and said further details would become public in the days ahead. He added that anyone found to have taken part in such conduct would be held accountable.
The matter entered public view the previous week, when Shivakumar was reported to have informed fellow Cabinet members about what he described as coordinated efforts to ensnare them through sting operations. Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Chief Minister stated that he had knowledge of both the individuals orchestrating the alleged plot directed at him and his cabinet, as well as those providing financial backing to the private operatives said to be involved.
On Monday, Kumaraswamy raised the question of why the state government had not initiated a probe into the purported sting operation, asking why the administration had chosen not to take the first step toward action. When asked about the matter, Shivakumar said only that the passage of time would provide an answer.
