Blunt talk, controversies mark rise and fall of minister Rajanna
Representing Madhugiri in Tumakuru district, Rajanna, a staunch supporter of chief minister
Siddaramaiah
, has repeatedly stirred political debates with his outspoken remarks that often challenged his own party's positions.
From advocating multiple deputy chief ministerial posts to backing a Dalit as chief minister, his statements have frequently ruffled feathers — especially those of
DK Shivakumar
, deputy CM and his camp. His admission of voter list lapses when Congress was at the helm, contradicting the party's stance, has now cost him his ministerial position.
You Can Also Check:
Bengaluru AQI
|
Weather in Bengaluru
|
Bank Holidays in Bengaluru
|
Public Holidays in Bengaluru
Known for his blunt style, Rajanna has been a polarising figure. When the Siddaramaiah govt took oath in 2023, the list of potential ministers was split between Siddaramaiah loyalists, party loyalists and Shivakumar loyalists. While some party loyalists were picked, none from Shivakumar's camp made the cut. Siddaramaiah had the final say in drawing up his team and he picked Rajanna despite stiff opposition.
Rajanna, 74, has held his ground in Madhugiri, a general category seat, despite being an ST.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
No annual fees for life
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
He won the seat in 2013 and 2023, and earlier in 2004 from Bellavi (part of Madhugiri) on a JD(S) ticket. His political career began with a victory in the Tumakuru local bodies constituency to the Karnataka legislative council in 1998, where he served for six years.
After being denied a Congress ticket for Bellavi in 2004, he crossed over to JD(S) and won. He returned to Congress in 2008 but lost to JD(S) candidate DC Gowrishankar.
He contested again in the byelection after Gowrishankar defected to BJP under Operation Lotus, but was defeated by HD Deve Gowda's daughter-in-law, Anitha Kumaraswamy. Persisting through losses, Rajanna won in 2013, lost in 2018, and returned to the assembly in 2023.
Controversy has often followed him. After his 2018 loss, Rajanna is said to have played a key role in Gowda's defeat, the JD(S)-Congress alliance candidate, from the Tumkur Lok Sabha seat in 2019.
Ahead of the 2023 polls, he remarked that Gowda, "who needed the assistance of two people to walk, would soon need four people to carry him". He later apologised in public for the remark.
After taking oath as cooperation minister in 2023, Rajanna argued for "more than one deputy chief minister," a direct challenge to Shivakumar's position. Earlier this year, he caused a stir in the legislative assembly by claiming that he was "honey-trapped". Despite repeated warnings from the Congress high command, he stayed steadfastly loyal to Siddaramaiah, repeatedly dismissing any talk of a change of CM. Sources say Siddaramaiah tried hard to persuade the high command not to seek his resignation but in vain.
Rajanna's next moves will be interesting as he has been aspiring to become state Congress president, a post which Shivakumar now holds.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
26 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Rahul Gandhi's lawyer withdraws plea citing threat from Savarkar followers
An application filed in a Pune court on behalf of Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was withdrawn on Thursday after he objected to its contents, saying it had been submitted without his consent. he case pertains to a criminal defamation complaint filed by Satyaki Savarkar over remarks allegedly made by Rahul Gandhi during a programme in London in March 2023. (FILE PHOTO) The application, filed by advocate Milind Pawar, had cited a possible threat to Gandhi from individuals subscribing to the ideology of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. However, Pawar later clarified that the submission, known in legal terms as a 'pursis', was filed without prior consultation with Gandhi and was being withdrawn. Pawar moved the application before the special MP-MLA court, seeking permission to withdraw the pursis, even though the matter was not listed for hearing that day. His plea read: 'The present case is pending before the court and is fixed for hearing on September 10. Today, the defence intends to file withdrawal pursis dated August 13 in this case. However, the said matter is not on today's board. It is respectfully prayed that this matter be kindly taken on board today in the interest of justice.' The submission concluded: 'The pursis is hereby withdrawn as not pressed at this stage.' After filing the withdrawal on Wednesday, Pawar issued a press statement in the evening acknowledging that the original pursis had been filed without Gandhi's approval. 'The contents of the 'pursis' were drafted by me without consulting my client Shri Rahul Gandhi. My client has taken strong exception to the filing and expressed disagreement with its contents,' the statement read. The now-withdrawn application had referred to complainant Satyaki Savarkar's familial relationship to Nathuram Godse and Gopal Godse, both accused in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. It also cited Gandhi's constitutional role as Leader of Opposition, his press conferences alleging electoral malpractice by the Election Commission of India (ECI), and his recent parliamentary exchanges with the Prime Minister on Hindutva. It argued that these factors, coupled with the complainant's ideological affiliations, gave rise to a reasonable apprehension of danger to Gandhi. 'In light of the documented history of violent and anti-constitutional tendencies linked to the complainant's lineage, and considering the prevailing political climate, there exists a clear, reasonable and substantial apprehension that Rahul Gandhi may face harm, wrongful implication, or other forms of targeting by persons subscribing to the ideology of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar,' the pursis stated. The case pertains to a criminal defamation complaint filed by Satyaki Savarkar over remarks allegedly made by Rahul Gandhi during a programme in London in March 2023. The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 10.
The Hindu
26 minutes ago
- The Hindu
BRS flays hike in life tax on vehicles, says it's heavy burden on middle-class, poor
The recent increase in life tax on vehicles effected by the State Government is nothing short of a ruthless blow to the poor and middle-class families of Telangana, former minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader T. Harish Rao has said. Condemning the government decision, Mr. Rao accused the government of exploiting people through oppressive taxation policies. He said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had proved his deputy M. Bhatti Vikramarka's words right that the Congress had immense experience in collecting revenue by turning this experience into a burden on the common man. Without any justification, the Congress Government had issued GOs 53 and 54 increasing life tax on new vehicles and squeezing the poor and middle class under additional financial pressure. Purchasing even a two-wheeler costs over ₹1 lakh in the present day. Farmers, small traders and daily wage workers depend on these vehicles for livelihood and raising the life tax from 12% to 15% on two-wheelers above ₹1 lakh is nothing but extortion, the BRS leader said. For instance, if a two-wheeler's showroom price is ₹1.10 lakh, the previous tax was ₹13,200 and with the hike it would become ₹16,500 – an additional burden of ₹3,200 per two-wheelerke. Across Telangana, this life tax hike would extract over ₹1,000 crore from the people. Owning a car is an aspiration for many families and most middle-class buyers rely on loans to fulfil this dream. But the Congress Government had shattered those hopes as cars priced between ₹10-₹20 lakh would not attract 18% life tax, up from 17%. resulting in an extra burden of nearly ₹20,000 per vehicle. For vehicles priced above ₹20 lakh and ₹50 lakh, the life tax was been raised by 2% and 3%, respectively, burdening more households. The government didn't stop there and increased taxes on commercial vehicles too from 20% to 22% for vehicles costing above ₹20 lakh and up to 25% for those over ₹50 lakh. Ultimately, this tax burden would be passed on to the market and affect the general public through increased prices of goods and services. In addition, the Congress government is handing over road management under the HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model) to private companies for 15–20 years. To fund this model through loans, the government is quietly increasing taxes as a backdoor way to loot people under the pretext of development, Mr. Rao added.
News18
36 minutes ago
- News18
'Disproportionately Concentrated': Pakistan's Post-War Credit, Awards 'Monopolised' By Asim Munir
Last Updated: This is in sharp contrast to India's treatment of its military in the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor'. The Centre's gallantry awards only recognise combatants from operations Pakistan's military awards, following its standoff with India, have been monopolised by Field Marshal Asim Munir. This post-war credit has been 'disproportionately concentrated" on the Chief of Army Staff, said top intelligence sources. This is in sharp contrast to India's treatment of its military in the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor'. The central government's gallantry awards only recognise combatants from operations. Pakistani awards, meanwhile, highlight top-brass self-projection and political weakness. India has not given away ceremonial awards to the three service chiefs. India is honouring nine air force officers with the Vir Chakra for precision strikes on Pakistan's Muridke and Bahawalpur during the conflict. At least 26 armed forces personnel have received the Vayu Sena Medal (gallantry), including S-400 and air defence operators who shielded Indian skies. Senior IAF officers in leadership positions have received Yudh Seva Medals for operational planning, and yet the awards have been restricted to those directly involved. Sixteen BSF jawans have been awarded for counter-drone, anti-infiltration, and enemy surveillance disruption along the western front. Munir, meanwhile, has been taking medals instead of giving them away. First, he was promoted to Field Marshal in May after the conflict, despite the fact that he does not have a frontline combat role. On August 13, Azerbaijan awarded him the Patriotic War Medal for bilateral defence cooperation, unrelated to Indo-Pakistan war performance. According to top intelligence sources, Pakistani authorities have sidelined field commanders and frontline troops creating silent discontent within the ranks. The sources told CNN-News18 that the decoration medals for Munir are seen internally as an attempt to craft a 'war hero" narrative to mask operational setbacks during the conflict. By rewarding himself and restricting honours to select loyalists, he has ensured that real battlefield failures and underperformance do not come into the public domain, they said. The absence of recognition for actual combat units is causing frustration among middle-level officials, signalling a weakening command structure, the sources said. Munir's awards are less about military merit and more about consolidating personal authority within the military establishment, they said. Munir is securing influence over civilian leadership, they added. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
