Joshi addressed reporters in Hubballi on Sunday, confirming he believed the Congress high command had lost control. Highlighting internal discord, he said both CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are competing to build alliances, deploying monetary influence to woo MLAs—an internal scramble he described as more significant than any alleged BJP manoeuvre. “Horses are ready to get traded in the market there,” he said, painting a vivid portrait of internal bargaining.
Joshi framed the BJP as arbitrating in a declared contest rather than seeking to instigate dissent. “We are nowhere involved or related to it. False allegations are being made against us,” he stated, underscoring BJP's stated respect for the electorate’s mandate and rejection of defection tactics.
His comments followed a statement from Vijayanand Kashappanavar, a Congress MLA from Hungund, who accused the BJP of preparing a list of 55 legislators to threaten with ED or CBI raids, forcing defections. Kashappanavar said BJP operatives had allegedly visited MLAs’ residences issuing warnings about investigations tied to illicit assets, a charge he described as “hate and conspiracy politics”.
Joshi retorted by questioning whether Kashappanavar himself faced any valid ED scrutiny. He maintained that legal actions are principled, not politically motivated, and dismissed the claimed list as a political diversion. He suggested such accusations are symptomatic of growing fractures within Congress, arguing the need for unity and focus on governance.
Political analysts note that the confrontation coincides with speculation about a mid‑term change in the chief minister’s post, stemming from a purported power‑sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Sources close to both leaders indicate shifting allegiances, with each working to consolidate support ahead of potential Council of Ministers reshuffles.
Siddaramaiah has publicly pledged to fulfil the full five‑year term, while supporters of Shivakumar openly declare their readiness to roll out a succession plan. Against this backdrop, Joshi's allegations reinforce a narrative of internal instability, positioning the BJP as observers rather than instigators.
The context for these accusations is not new to Karnataka politics. The BJP’s historical tactic known as Operation Kamala or Lotus, involved inducement of opposition MLAs to secure government stability when its own numbers fell short. Opposition parties frequently cite this history to deflect similar allegations. In this instance, Kashappanavar's charges echo those patterns, shifting the spotlight onto BJP while Joshi highlights what he characterises as Congress’s flawed political conduct.
Observers say that the escalation coincides with the BJP’s strategic positioning ahead of the 2026 Zilla Panchayat elections. By warning of internal Congress fragility, the BJP aims to expand its appeal among voters wary of political volatility. Meanwhile, Congress leaders remain focused on projecting unity, emphasising governance under its Anna Bhagya food scheme, public transport reforms and housing schemes.
The power struggle within Congress is further complicated by recent internal investigations and high‑profile controversies. The Valmiki Development Corporation scandal implicated allegations of fund diversion, prompting senior Ministers’ resignations and calls for accountability. Joshi recently claimed the chief minister’s office had knowledge of the irregularities. Those claims, whether substantiated or not, feed into perceptions of administrative drift.
Meanwhile, Karnataka's governance challenges persist, with repeated disruptions and investigations overshadowing public service initiatives. The tussle over leadership, whether real or perceived, threatens to distract from priorities such as rural infrastructure, education and environmental regulation, including the Mahadayi water diversion project.