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Rajanna's sacking from Karnataka Cabinet: CM says he owes no justification

Rajanna's sacking from Karnataka Cabinet: CM says he owes no justification

The Hindu6 days ago
In his first public reaction on the sacking of his close aide and Cabinet colleague K.N. Rajanna, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that removing a Minister was his discretion and no justification was needed.
His response to the Opposition demand for an explanation came at the Legislative Council. 'Why should the Chief Minister speak about the internal matters of the party?,' he argued.
The Opposition had been seeking the reason for Mr. Rajanna's sacking, and Leader of the House N.S. Boseraju on Tuesday also said that it was the discretion of the Chief Minister.
Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy asked the Chief Minister the reason for sacking Mr. Rajanna, and said: 'You have removed a Scheduled Tribes leader. You should give the reason.'
When he tried to point out at the assurance given to the House by the Leader of Opposition that a response would be provided, Chairman Basavaraj Horatti intervened and said that the House Leader had already mentioned that it was the discretion of the government to drop or retain anyone.
Drama unfolded after the Chief Minister prepared to leave the House amid a demand from the Opposition to respond. As Opposition members asked him not to 'run away' without providing an answer, a miffed Chief Minister returned to his seat and said: 'I will not answer your question. The House leader has already replied.'
When Mr. Narayanaswamy said that it was the Congress' 'anti-Dalit' culture, the incensed Chief Minister said: 'That is your culture and not ours. Did Vice-President Jaideep Dhankar not resign? Did you discuss it? Did anyone give reason as to why B.S. Yediyurappa resigned as Chief Minister? Why was Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal expelled? These are internal matters, which need not be discussed.'
The Chief Minister then walked away from the House.
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