In a sudden move, Karnataka cooperation minister K N Rajanna was sacked from the Cabinet after the Congress high command instructed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to remove him for his “vote theft” remarks that embarrassed the party and its leader Rahul Gandhi.
Reacting to his removal, Rajanna said the Congress high command, party president, and general secretary K C Venugopal have some “misconception” about him, and that he would be flying to Delhi with senior MLAs and ministers to clear the air.
Initially, Siddaramaiah asked Rajanna to resign. However, since he did not resign, he was removed from the Cabinet, sources in the chief minister’s office told PTI.
A letter to remove Rajanna was sent by the chief minister to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, and the recommendation was accepted by the Raj Bhavan.
“I am directed to forward herewith the original notification signed by the Hon’ble Governor for the removal of Sri K N Rajanna, Hon’ble Minister for Cooperation, from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect, for further necessary action,” Special Secretary to Governor R Prabhushankar wrote to the Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.
