In a dramatic turn of events, Karnataka cooperation minister KN Rajanna was sacked from the state cabinet on Monday following direct intervention by Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, News18 reported.
The action was triggered by Rajanna’s public remarks on the alleged “voter list fraud” controversy, which contradicted the party’s official stand and caused “embarrassment” to the leadership.
Sources told News18 that the day began with All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary KC Venugopal calling Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to convey the high command’s displeasure over the “Rajanna episode.”
Initially, Siddaramaiah sought a 10-day delay, citing the ongoing Assembly session, but Venugopal insisted the CM speak directly to Rahul Gandhi. During their brief conversation, Rahul reportedly told Siddaramaiah: “I am not talking about his resignation, sack him.”
The CM’s office moved quickly, informing Rajanna around 1 pm and sending a formal recommendation to the Governor to drop him from the council of ministers.
Rajanna later told ANI that there was a “huge conspiracy” behind his dismissal. “I am speaking to you as a former minister. But there is a huge conspiracy behind my dismissal, I know who is behind this… I am happy to be called a former minister,” he said, while crediting Siddaramaiah for giving him the opportunity to serve.
The sacked minister added that he would travel to Delhi to “try to convince Rahul Gandhi” and “clear the misconception that has arisen,” stressing, “Rahul Gandhi is our leader. We are committed to the party.”
Rajanna — considered a Siddaramaiah loyalist — had resigned after sparking controversy with comments suggesting the Congress government itself bore responsibility for irregularities in voter lists. In an earlier statement to ANI, he said: “When was the voter list prepared? It was prepared when our own government was in power… These irregularities did take place — that’s the truth. There is nothing false in this. We didn’t take care of it at the time. That’s why we must be alert in the future.”
Citing Mahadevapura as an example, Rajanna claimed, “One person was registered in three different places and voted in all three… 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.”
His comments came days after Rahul Gandhi, at a rally in Bengaluru on August 8, accused the Election Commission of bias and blamed voter list discrepancies for Congress defeats in key constituencies. Rajanna’s pushback drew a sharp rebuke from Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, who said: “Mr KN Rajanna is totally at fault. He doesn’t know. My Chief Minister and my party’s high command will reply to it.”
Also read: 'Huge conspiracy behind my dismissal': KN Rajanna after resigning as Karnataka minister
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