Karnataka Minister KN Rajanna Resigns After Dispute Over Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote-Chori’ Allegation

Bangalore Mail Staff Reporter

BENGALURU — Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna has stepped down from his post after making remarks that appeared to contradict Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claims of “vote-chori” (vote theft) in the state.

Rajanna, a close ally of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, submitted his resignation on Monday, days after his comments sparked backlash from supporters of Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. The controversy stems from his response to Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Bengaluru last week, where the Congress MP accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of bias and blamed discrepancies in voter lists for the party’s defeat in key constituencies such as Bangalore Central.

Pushing back against this narrative, Rajanna had pointed out that the voter lists were revised when the Congress was in power in Karnataka.

“One should remember that voter lists were revised when our own government was at the helm,” Rajanna said. “Why did our party turn a blind eye then? There are irregularities, yes — but it is embarrassing for us that this happened right under our nose.”

The minister further noted that the ECI had invited objections after publishing draft electoral rolls, adding that it was the party’s responsibility to act in a timely manner.

His remarks, seen as undermining the party’s central leadership, reportedly led to pressure from within the Congress to step down.

With this resignation, political observers say tensions within the Karnataka Congress — particularly between factions aligned with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar — have once again come into focus ahead of upcoming electoral battles.