Congress Ousts Karnataka Minister KN Rajanna After He Questions Electoral Rolls Internally
Karnataka Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna has resigned after publicly stating that “vote theft” occurred during the Congress government’s tenure in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress high command directed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to remove Rajanna from the Cabinet following his controversial remarks, which triggered a heated political row.
Sources confirmed that Rajanna’s son, MLC Rajendra, handed over the resignation letter to the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is expected to make an official statement in the Legislative Assembly.
When pressed by the Opposition BJP for clarity during Assembly proceedings, Rajanna maintained that the Chief Minister would announce the details.
Contradiction with Party Stand
Rajanna, a long-time loyalist of Siddaramaiah, directly questioned the Congress’s position on alleged electoral roll manipulation.
His comments embarrassed the party leadership, particularly as Rahul Gandhi had led a protest against “vote theft” in Bengaluru on August 8, 2025.
Speaking to reporters in Tumkuru on August 9, Rajanna asked why party leaders had “turned a blind eye” to voter list irregularities.
He remarked:
“Look, if we just start talking about such things casually, there will be different opinions. When was the voter list prepared? It was prepared when our own government was in power. At that time, was everyone just sitting quietly with eyes closed? These irregularities did take place — that’s the truth. There is nothing false in this.”
Admission of Irregularities
Rajanna admitted that electoral roll irregularities had occurred openly. He said, “These irregularities happened right in front of our eyes — we should feel ashamed. We didn’t take care of it at the time. That’s why we must be alert in the future.”
Referring to Mahadevapura, he pointed out: “In Mahadevapura, there was indeed fraud. One person was registered in three different places and voted in all three.
But when the draft electoral rolls are being prepared, we have to monitor it, right?…When the draft electoral rolls are made, we must file objections — that is our responsibility. At that time, we kept quiet and now we are talking.”
Earlier Controversies
This is not the first time Rajanna has sparked controversy. He had earlier demanded that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar be replaced as president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.
He had also advocated for creating additional deputy chief ministerial posts to weaken Shivakumar’s hold, a move that stirred internal tensions.
Recently, Rajanna claimed that “a major political development will take place in September,” hinting at a possible leadership change.
Belonging to the Valmiki community, Rajanna was also removed from the position of minister in charge of Hassan district.
He became the second minister from the SC community to step down after B. Nagendra, who had resigned following allegations of a scam in the Valmiki Development Corporation.
Opposition Reactions
The BJP was quick to seize the moment. State president B.Y. Vijayendra said Rajanna had “paid the price for speaking the truth.”
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka raised the matter in the Assembly, questioning why Rajanna was removed.
“Are there are any corruption charges against Rajanna, how much money he has made and where he has kept? He just spoke the truth that there is Congress government when the voting took place,” Ashoka said, adding that Rajanna was a respected minister.
“He (Rajanna) was the only Siddaramaiah loyalist. Is Siddaramaiah the next target after his removal?”
The JD(S) also joined in criticism. Posting on X, the party said Rajanna’s resignation showed “there is no internal democracy within the Congress party.”
It added, “For speaking the truth about the false allegations of vote theft made by Rahul Gandhi, Minister Rajanna has been sacked. He has resigned under pressure from the Congress High Command.”
Party Leadership’s Concern
Sources revealed that Rahul Gandhi was upset with Rajanna’s remarks, which undermined his narrative against the Election Commission.
Senior leader K.C. Venugopal reportedly conveyed Gandhi’s displeasure to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before Rajanna was dropped.
The allegation that the Election Commission collaborated with the BJP in inflating voter rolls has been at the center of Congress protests.
But Rajanna’s statement that irregularities occurred when Congress itself was in power weakened the party’s stance and gave the BJP an opportunity to attack.
Uncertain Future for Rajanna
Congress leaders are monitoring Rajanna closely. Sources indicated that if he makes further controversial remarks, disciplinary action, including suspension, may follow.
Rajanna is said to be deeply unhappy with the decision. MLAs and ministers close to him are weighing the next course of action, while he is expected to meet Siddaramaiah again.
A History of Defiance
Party insiders noted that Rajanna had long been under the scanner for his repeated defiance of central leadership.
He had openly sought leadership changes, challenged D.K. Shivakumar’s authority, and even questioned senior leader Randeep Surjewala’s interventions.
His latest statement on “vote theft” was considered the final blow.
BJP’s Final Word
The BJP has continued to highlight the incident as proof of Congress’s lack of internal democracy. CT Ravi said, “There is no democracy within the Congress. If you tell the truth you are asked to resign.”
Ashoka added that Rajanna’s removal could be the beginning of an “October revolution” within the party, referring to Rajanna’s earlier prediction of political upheaval in Karnataka.
