BENGALURU: In a major development, the Congress party has decided to seek the resignation of State Minister for Cooperation K.N. Rajanna, a close confidant of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, over his remarks regarding voter fraud, which allegedly took place during the tenure of the party's government in Karnataka, sources confirmed on Monday.
The party high command has directed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to obtain Minister Rajanna’s resignation on Monday itself.
Amid the controversy, Minister Rajanna met CM Siddaramaiah at his office in Vidhana Soudha.
Reacting to the news, Rajanna said he would speak after the meeting with the CM. "I am not clinging to power. I will respond by evening, " he stated.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, stated on the floor of the House that Minister Rajanna had tendered his resignation two hours earlier. "I challenge the government on this. If this is not true, let the Speaker suspend me for one year, " he declared.
Ashoka further demanded that Minister Rajanna, who was present in the Assembly session, provide clarity on the matter instead of sitting quietly.
Minister for Law H.K. Patil and Minister for Revenue Krishna Byre Gowda maintained that sudden media reports should not be taken up for discussion in the House.
Congress leaders had earlier submitted a complaint to Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala over Minister Rajanna’s statements against the party regarding election fraud.