‘He’s Mass Leader’: Congress MLA Backtracks Over ‘Lottery’ Remark On CM Siddaramaiah

Last Updated:July 02, 2025, 10:57 IST

In a contrast to what he was heard saying, the Congress MLA said that Siddaramaiah is mass leader and he don't have the power to make him Chief Minister.

Karnataka Congress MLA BR Patil says media twisted his conversation on phone about Siddaramaiah. (File)

Congress MLA BR Patil on Wednesday issued a clarification after a purported audio clip of him over Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his rise in power went viral and triggered a row.

In a contrast to what he was heard saying in the audio circulated earlier, the Congress MLA said that Siddaramaiah is mass leader and he don’t have the power to make him Chief Minister.

He also accused the electronic media and social media of twisting his remarks. Patil further clarified that during the call Siddaramaiah’s name came up and said that he was present with the Chief Minister when they met Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

“Electronic media and social media are twisting my statements and trying to tarnish my image. When I was speaking to one of my close friends in Krishnaraja Pete, Siddaramaiah’s name came up, and I said he was lucky that he became the Chief Minister. I did not say that I introduced him (Siddaramaiah) to Sonia Gandhi. I was with him when we met Sonia Gandhi. He is a mass leader, and I’m not powerful enough to make him the Chief Minister," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

Dismissing claims that he influenced Siddaramaiah’s appointment as CM, Patil added, “Some are trying to break our close relationship intentionally. Nine of our MLAs in the leadership of Siddaramaiah joined the Congress from JD(S), Congress also made him the Chief Minister by looking at his mass leadership…This attempt by some to ruin my relationship with Siddaramaiah is wrong."

Patil’s clarification came a day after a leaked audio of the party MLA emerged on social media where he reportedly mentioned Randeep Singh Surjewala – Congress general secretary incharge of Karnataka – whom the high command has sent to the state for crisis management.

Patil’s audio, said to be from Krishnaraja Pete in Mandya, has sparked a massive row.

“Siddaramaiah hit a lottery. I was the one who introduced him to Sonia Gandhi. His fortunes were good and he became the Chief Minister. I have no Godfather or God. I met (Randeep Singh) Surjewala and said everything I had to. They heard me out with patience, let’s see what happens," he was quoted as saying as per the report by NDTV.

Earlier, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said confirmed there will be no leadership change in the state, hinting at a climbdown from his side in the power-sharing tussle with Siddaramaiah, talks of which have done the rounds for a prolonged period of time now.

Every time the state Congress shows signs of another internal fight between the two leaders, the Congress high command steps in to manage the situation — both senior leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge have, in the past, asked them to cool down so as to project a united front.

(With inputs from agencies)

News politics ‘He’s Mass Leader’: Congress MLA Backtracks Over ‘Lottery’ Remark On CM Siddaramaiah