Karnataka Congress Minister K.N. Rajanna’s Resignation Accepted Amid Election Fraud Controversy

Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress spokesperson and senior leader Ramesh Babu confirmed on Monday that the resignation of Minister for Cooperation K.N. Rajanna has been accepted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Ramesh Babu said, “As per the instructions given by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Minister Rajanna has tendered his resignation. The resignation has already been accepted. We have to see for what reason his resignation was sought.”

He added, “We don’t know the reason yet. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) or the Chief Minister will have to confirm it. We are not sure. So far, neither the AICC nor the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has made any official statement regarding the reason for his resignation. We are waiting.”

Ramesh Babu further clarified, “Once we receive communication from the AICC or the PCC, we will be able to share the information. It is true that he has submitted his resignation and that the Chief Minister has accepted it.”

The resignation comes after the Congress high command decided to seek Rajanna’s removal over his controversial remarks related to alleged voter “fraud” during Congress rule in Karnataka. Rajanna’s statement, which suggested that the election fraud allegations should have been addressed earlier, reportedly upset the party leadership.

Sources reveal that the high command directed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to obtain Rajanna’s resignation on Monday itself. Despite Rajanna’s meeting with Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha to explain his position, the party’s national leadership was not satisfied with the explanation.

Earlier, Congress leaders lodged a complaint with Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala regarding Rajanna’s statements against the party. The leadership’s displeasure was heightened due to the election fraud issue being raised by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.