Karnataka Minister Resigns Amid Controversy Over Voter List Remarks
Resignation of Minister KN Rajanna
Karnataka's Minister KN Rajanna has stepped down following backlash from his comments regarding allegations made by Congress about the voter list. His remarks suggested that the irregularities in the electoral rolls, which Congress has accused the BJP of, actually occurred during Congress's own governance. After a meeting with the Chief Minister at Vidhana Soudha, Rajanna submitted his resignation.
Details of Rajanna's Statements
Rajanna acknowledged that irregularities in the voter list, as pointed out by Rahul Gandhi, did happen, but emphasized that these issues arose when Congress was in power. He stated, 'The voter list was prepared during our government. Were we all just ignoring the situation? If we speak freely, we could reveal many truths.' He further admitted, 'These irregularities occurred right before us, and we should be ashamed for not addressing them at the time. We need to be vigilant moving forward.' His comments have ignited significant debate and placed Congress in a precarious position.
Rajanna's Political Background
Rajanna holds a Science degree from Government Science College and an LLB from Vidyodaya Law College, Tumkur. He began his career in the cooperative sector, serving as a director at the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India and as president of the Karnataka State Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd. His political journey started as the secretary of the Kyathasandra taluk unit of the Indian National Congress. He was elected president of Nagar Panchayat Kyathasandra in 1976 and led the INC’s youth congress wing from 1980 to 1984. Rajanna was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Council in 1998 and served until 2004. After leaving the INC for the Janata Dal (Secular), he returned to the Assembly in 2013 and again in 2023. He was appointed a Cabinet Minister in May 2023, overseeing the Cooperation portfolio.
Controversies Surrounding Rajanna
Recently, Rajanna called for the replacement of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar as president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. He also suggested increasing the number of Deputy Chief Ministerial positions, which many interpreted as an effort to undermine Shivakumar, who holds multiple roles. Additionally, Rajanna hinted at significant political changes expected in September, potentially indicating a shift in leadership within the Congress government.