DK Shivakumar's vendetta or Rahul Gandhi's ire? Why did Siddaramaiah sack loyalist KN Rajanna from cabinet?

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sacked Cooperation Minister K.N.Rajanna from his cabinet on Monday, reportedly over the latter's comments questioning Congress's 'vote chori' charges against the Election Commission. 

 

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's recommendation and removed Rajanna from the cabinet. According to reports, the chief minister had sought the resignation of the Tumkur leader. However, after Rajanna refused, Siddaramiah recommended to the governor to remove him from the cabinet. 

 

 

Sources in the CMO told PTI that Siddaramaiah sent a letter for the removal of Rajanna to the governor in the afternoon, and the recommendation was accepted by the Raj Bhavan. Special Secretary to Governor, R. Prabhushankar, wrote to the Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, forwarding the notification removing Rajanna from the council of ministers. 

 

Recently, the senior Congress leader found fault with his own party amid raging row between the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and the Election Commission over irregularities in the electoral roll. Gandhi alleged the Commission manipulated the electoral roll in favour of Bharatiya Janata Party. 

 

Regarded as a Siddaramaiah loyalist, Rajanna had said the Congress party should have exercised extra care during the preparation of electoral rolls for Lok Sabha polls. While backing Gandhi's claims, Rajanna said they should be ashamed that such irregularities in the electoral roll happened under their watch in Karnataka.

 

Reportedly, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi dialled Siddarammaiah and lambasted Rajanna for his comments. Siddaramaiah reportedly took the decision to seek Rajanna's resignation after this. Meanwhile, supporters of D.K. Shivakumar slammed Rajanna for undermining the party.

 

India