Bengaluru:Karnataka Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna has submitted his resignation after the Congress high command instructed him to step down, following his controversial remarks on the party’s allegations of “vote theft.” The resignation has triggered a fresh political row, with the opposition BJP seizing the opportunity to criticize the Congress for stifling internal dissent.
The controversy erupted when Rajanna, a known loyalist of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, publicly stated that irregularities in the electoral rolls occurred during the Congress’s own previous tenure in the state. His comments directly contradicted the party’s official stance, led by senior leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been vocally accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the BJP of manipulating voter lists.
Rajanna’s remarks, which questioned why the party had “sat quietly with eyes closed” when the draft lists were published, were seen as a major embarrassment.
Reactions from Political Parties:
Congress: The party’s high command acted swiftly to contain the damage. While a section of the party, particularly supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, were already critical of Rajanna, the central leadership’s directive for his resignation highlights the seriousness of his insubordination. A party leader, speaking anonymously, stated that Rajanna was a “habitual offender” for speaking against the party line.
BJP: The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been quick to attack the Congress over the incident. Senior BJP leader C.T. Ravi stated that the resignation proved there was “no democracy within the Congress.” He added, “If you tell the truth, you are asked to resign.” The BJP has also welcomed Rajanna’s statement, with State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra saying that the minister “has spoken the truth” and that the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, “lacks the courage to face the hard realities.”
Analysis:
Rajanna’s resignation underscores the deep-seated factionalism within the Karnataka Congress, particularly the ongoing power struggle between the camps of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Rajanna’s move, while embarrassing for the Congress, serves as a stark reminder of the party’s internal conflicts and the high command’s low tolerance for dissent on key policy issues. It is seen as an attempt by the party’s central leadership to send a clear message to all its state units: public criticism of the high command’s decisions will not be tolerated.
