Karnataka Minister KN Rajanna Resigns After Voter List Remarks Spark Congress Row
Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna resigned on Monday following his admission of voter list irregularities during the Congress government’s tenure, remarks that unsettled the party leadership.
A close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Rajanna had publicly questioned the party’s silence on alleged electoral roll manipulation, contradicting the official Congress position. Sources said the Congress high command directed Siddaramaiah to remove Rajanna from the cabinet amid the political controversy.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar strongly defended the party, rejecting Rajanna’s claims and accusing the opposition of exploiting the issue.
Rajanna had said the irregularities happened “right in front of our eyes” and expressed regret that they went unmonitored. Earlier, he had also called for more deputy chief minister posts, which was seen as an attempt to weaken Shivakumar’s influence.
In the state assembly, BJP leader R Ashoka demanded clarity on whether Siddaramaiah had accepted Rajanna’s resignation, arguing that if Rajanna was no longer a minister, he should not occupy a treasury bench seat.
Rajanna later said the Congress high command instructed leaders not to create confusion about leadership changes, reaffirming that all such decisions rest with the central leadership and must be respected.
