K.N. Rajanna, known for sparking controversies, finally exits Cabinet
Known to be a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and a strong critic of the functioning of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Mr. Rajanna, 74, elected from Madhugiri constituency in Tumakuru district, has embarrassed the Congress high command on many occasions by issuing public statements on party and government matters.
The three-time MLA and one-time MLC's latest remarks about alleged irregularities in voter lists has dismayed the party high command, which apparently directed Mr. Siddaramaiah to sack him from the Cabinet.
Mr. Rajanna's remarks came at a time when the Congress, led by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, has launched a nationwide protest against 'vote theft'. Mr. Gandhi staged a protest in Bengaluru on August 8.
The high command's direction to sack Mr. Rajanna from the Cabinet is also seen as a stern message to the Chief Minister's loyalists to adhere to the party's discipline.
History of controversies
In the past, Mr. Rajanna had made several controversial statements which had embarrassed the party leaders. During the Budget Session of the legislature in March, Mr. Rajanna triggered a controversy claiming that vested interests had honey-trapped 48 people, including legislators and Central leaders. His remarks apparently did not go down well with the high command when the Parliament Session was on.
Incidentally, on the day of Mr. Rajanna's sacking, the Assembly passed a resolution revoking the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs. The legislators were suspended for six months for creating a ruckus while protesting against the 'honey-trap' allegations by Mr. Rajanna.
A few days ago, Mr. Rajanna, who was actively involved in the cooperative sector since the early 1970s, was removed as Minister in charge of Hassan district.
In the game of one-upmanship between Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar, Mr. Rajanna had demanded the appointment of three more Deputy Chief Ministers representing the Veerashaiva-Lingayats, the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, and the minority communities in an attempt to 'weaken' Mr. Shivakumar. He is currently holding multiple posts including that of the lone Deputy Chief Minister.
Advocating the principle of 'one-person, one-post' as part of the Udaipur declaration of the Congress, Mr. Rajanna demanded replacement of Mr. Shivakuamar as the KPCC chief.
Mr. Rajanna met Central leaders several times seeking execution of their announcement in 2023 that Mr. Shivakumar, who holds the post of KPCC chief, would be replaced after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Dropping the leader from the Ministry is seen as an 'achievement' for Mr. Shivakumar.
The leader, who was summoned by the ED in an alleged money-laundering case in 2019, has been saying that Mr. Siddaramaiah would be the Chief Minister for the full-term.
In July, Mr. Rajanna made public his displeasure about AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala's one-to-one meetings with MLAs and Ministers. He even skipped the meeting with Mr. Surjewala.
Predictions on September
A couple of months ago, Mr. Rajanna claimed that 'major political developments' would take place after September in Karnataka, amid speculation about a possible Cabinet reshuffle and leadership change later this year.
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