Karnataka Minister Sacked After 'Vote-Theft' Remarks
Karnataka Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna has been removed from the state cabinet by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The sacking follows Rajanna's recent remarks apparently blaming his own Congress-led state government for "vote-theft" irregularities during the Lok Sabha elections. This contradicted the party's national stance, which blames the BJP. The public statement caused significant embarrassment for the party high command, prompting the Chief Minister to recommend Rajanna's removal to the Governor, who accepted it with immediate effect.
Unpacked:
Rajanna publicly suggested that any “vote theft” in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls would reflect failures of the Congress-run Karnataka administration, diverging from the party’s national stance blaming the BJP and the Election Commission for irregularities.
The Karnataka CEO issued notices to Rahul Gandhi seeking documents to substantiate claims of voter fraud in Mahadevapura, including an allegation of a voter casting multiple votes; the EC said the named voter denied voting twice and requested evidence for a formal inquiry.
Karnataka is Congress-ruled, so allegations of irregularities there let the BJP argue the state government bears responsibility for election conduct, undercutting Congress’s national narrative and creating intra-party friction exemplified by Rajanna’s exit.
BJP leaders mocked Congress’s fraud claims as “childish” and highlighted Congress’s control of the state machinery during the polls; media reported Rajanna’s resignation/removal as fallout from contradicting the party line during a high-profile campaign over alleged vote theft.