Sacked Karnataka Minister Gets Surprise Invitation From BJP
BJP invites Rajanna as Congress leaders rally support.
In a dramatic twist in Karnataka politics, senior BJP leader B Sriramulu has extended an invitation to K N Rajanna, recently ousted as Cooperation Minister from the Congress-led government, to join the BJP along with his son, MLC Rajendra Rajanna. The offer comes amid heightened tensions within the Congress, as a group of party MLAs and Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Rajanna at his residence on Wednesday to express solidarity.
Sriramulu, addressing the Valmiki (ST) community, assured Rajanna of “greater respect” within the BJP, claiming he was sacked for “speaking the truth” about voter list irregularities during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Rajanna’s comments, which contradicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “vote theft” narrative, reportedly led to his removal from the cabinet on Monday, following orders from the Congress high command.
Rajanna, a four-time MLA from Madhugiri and a prominent Valmiki community leader, sparked controversy by noting that the voter lists were prepared under the Congress government, questioning why irregularities weren’t addressed earlier. His remarks triggered protests in Tumakuru, where supporters decried his dismissal from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s cabinet.
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At the meeting, Jarkiholi, joined by Congress MLAs Raghumurthy, Basavanthappa, and Anil Chikkamadhu, sought to boost Rajanna’s morale. “We’re here to show our support and friendship,” Jarkiholi told reporters, adding that Rajanna believes there’s a “misunderstanding” with the Congress high command in Delhi. Rajanna plans to travel to Delhi to clarify his position, while Jarkiholi revealed that a delegation would soon demand the filling of two vacant ST cabinet posts, emphasizing that the Valmiki community should retain the same portfolios.
The BJP has seized the opportunity, with leaders like former CM Basavaraj Bommai and state president B Y Vijayendra slamming Congress for suppressing dissent and marginalizing ST leaders. They labeled Rajanna’s sacking a “betrayal” of the Valmiki community and a sign of internal Congress rifts.
Rajanna, the second minister dropped from Siddaramaiah’s cabinet since 2023 after B Nagendra’s resignation over the Valmiki Corporation scam, has hinted at a “conspiracy” against him, promising to reveal more in time. Jarkiholi acknowledged the claim but left decisions on Rajanna’s potential reinstatement to the Congress high command, CM Siddaramaiah, and the state party president.
As Karnataka’s political landscape heats up, Rajanna’s next move—whether to join the BJP or mend ties with Congress—could reshape alliances and influence the Valmiki community’s political stance ahead of future elections.
Also Read: Congress Demands 2024 Polls Be Nullified Over ‘Fake Voter Lists’
