Bengaluru: On Monday, Karnataka Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as reported by sources from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Additionally, the minister has forwarded his resignation to the Governor’s office. This development follows a rally held in Bengaluru on Friday by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who reiterated his accusations of “vote theft,” claiming that there was “collusion” between the Election Commission of India and the BJP, which facilitated the creation of over one lakh “fake votes” in the Mahadevapura Assembly Segment within the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency for the 2024 elections to secure a victory for the BJP.

On Saturday, while speaking to reporters in Tumkuru, Rajanna questioned why Congress leaders had “turned a blind eye” to the irregularities in the voter lists and remained silent when they should have raised concerns.

He stated, “If we casually discuss such matters, there will be differing opinions. When was the voter list compiled? It was done while our own government was in power. At that time, was everyone just sitting quietly with their eyes closed? These irregularities did occur — that is the reality. There is nothing untrue about this.”

Acknowledging that the irregularities were evident, he remarked, “These irregularities occurred right before our eyes — we should be ashamed. We failed to address it at the time. Therefore, we must remain vigilant in the future.”

“In Mahadevapura, there was indeed fraud. One individual was registered at three different locations and voted in all three. However, when the draft electoral rolls are being prepared, we need to oversee it, correct?…When the draft electoral rolls are created, we must submit objections — that is our duty. At that time, we remained silent, and now we are speaking up,” Rajanna concluded.

Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar rejected the allegations made by Rajanna. “Mr. KN Rajanna is completely in the wrong. He is unaware of the facts. My Chief Minister and the leadership of my party will address that,” Shivakumar stated to reporters in Bengaluru today.

Shivakumar also mentioned that the electoral commission should respond to the concerns raised by Gandhi, stating, “We are not schoolchildren who will respond to every request from the Election Commission. They are obligated to provide us with the necessary information. He has submitted a representation, and they are aware of what is incorrect. We have formally requested certain information and records. I personally visited the Election Commission. At no time will my leader take an oath or respond to this matter. He has already addressed it publicly.”

Meanwhile, Rajanna’s son and Congress leader Rajendra Rajanna, in response to the resignation, commented, “I am not sure what transpired.”