‘Siddaramaiah won lottery’: In leaked audio, Congress MLA BR Patil claims he introduced CM to Sonia Gandhi; embarrasses Karnataka Congress

MANDYA/BENGALURU: A leaked phone conversation featuring senior Congress MLA BR Patil, who is also deputy chairman of Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission, has triggered fresh controversy in Karnataka Congress, with the legislator crediting himself for introducing chief minister Siddaramaiah to Sonia Gandhi, and suggesting the former's rise was thanks to "luck" and "planetary alignment".The video conversation, allegedly recorded during Patil's recent visit to KR Pet in Mandya, captures his frank admissions and veiled frustrations. Patil, a four-time legislator and MLA for Aland, 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."He repeats the statement later in the conversation, claiming Siddaramaiah's "fate was good, so he got the position, but I remained unlucky".Using the Kannada term Grahachara (planetary alignment), Patil implies it was fate, not merit, that led to Siddaramaiah's elevation. "See, we don't have a godfather, in fact, there's neither ‘god' nor ‘father' for us," he adds, highlighting his sense of political marginalisation.Patil was earlier appointed as political adviser to the CM in an apparent effort to pacify him after he was overlooked for a cabinet berth. However, he resigned from that role citing some problems and was later made deputy chairman of the policy and planning commission. This isn't the first time Patil has been embroiled in a controversy over leaked audio. He had previously acknowledged that his voice featured in another clip relating to irregularities in housing allotments.The latest leak comes amid growing dissent in state Congress. All India Congress Committee general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala is currently in Bengaluru to oversee damage control by meeting party MLAs. Patil met Surjewala on Monday, but the timing of his comments has kicked off another round of speculation.During the call, Patil also confirms having met Surjewala: "I met Surjewala and he listened to me seriously. Let us see what happens. He looked into everything and even said he was grateful to me. He mentioned he wasn't aware of these issues earlier. Now, I've left it to the high command and the chief minister. The high command will take the final decision."Later on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said he was indeed lucky and hence holds the CM's post. "Yes, I'm lucky. That's why I became chief minister," he told reporters when asked about Patil's comments. Siddaramaiah was among the eight MLAs, including Patil, who quit the JD(S) and joined Congress back in 2006.'I said he was lucky that he became the Chief Minister': Patil clarifiesResponding to the latest controversy, Patil issued a statement on Tuesday blaming the media for misrepresenting his words. “Electronic media and social media are twisting my statements and trying to tarnish my image,” he said. “I was speaking to a close friend in Krishnaraja Pete. Siddaramaiah’s name came up, and I said he was lucky to become CM. I didn’t say I introduced him to Sonia Gandhi—I only said I was with him when he met her. He is a mass leader. I’m not powerful enough to make him the CM. Some people are trying to break our relationship intentionally,” he clarified. Patil also emphasised their shared political history: “Nine of us, under Siddaramaiah’s leadership, joined Congress from JD(S). The party made him CM because of his mass leadership.”