Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna resigns amid leadership change row

Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna resigned from the Karnataka cabinet after weeks of controversy over remarks on leadership change and Rahul Gandhi’s poll rigging claims. The move follows his removal as Hassan district in-charge and apparent pressure from the Congress high command

Bengaluru: Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna has stepped down from his cabinet post, marking a dramatic turn in the ongoing political turbulence within the Karnataka Congress.

Rajanna submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah earlier today. His decision follows weeks of controversy over his public remarks on a possible change in state leadership and on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations against the Election Commission during the recent Lok Sabha elections.

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In recent months, Rajanna had repeatedly courted criticism from senior party leaders by predicting a “September revolution” in Karnataka politics and openly speculating about a leadership change. Despite warnings from the high command to avoid such comments, he continued to speak out, eventually drawing the ire of party seniors. Sources indicate his resignation came at the insistence of the Congress high command.

The development comes shortly after Rajanna was stripped of his role as Minister in-charge of Hassan district, a move widely seen as a signal of the leadership’s displeasure.

The immediate trigger appears to be Rajanna’s remarks during the Lok Sabha poll season, when Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of ignoring large-scale vote rigging in constituencies like Mahadevapura, under the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat. Rajanna publicly questioned the credibility of the claim, asking, “When was the voter list made? It was made when our own government was there. Did everyone turn a blind eye then?”

His son, Rajendra, a legislative council member, defended him at the Vidhana Soudha, arguing that his father had only stated facts. “During the Lok Sabha elections, our own government was in place and the lapse could have been corrected. What is wrong with that?” he said, adding that he would discuss the matter with CM Siddaramaiah.

Rajendra also dismissed talk of a wider political exit, saying, “If Rajanna resigns from the party, he will say so himself. Rajanna is not a small leader. Why should he resign just because someone wrote a letter?”

Party sources remain tight-lipped, with many MLAs claiming they learned of the resignation only through the media.