Supporters of former Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna held a protest at Tumkuru's Town Hall Circle on Wednesday to condemn his dismissal from his ministerial post. Footage from the protest showed demonstrators chanting slogans and carrying a banner with Rajanna’s portrait. Police have been deployed across the city as a precautionary measure.
The dismissal has been criticised by Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, who claimed that Congress is removing individuals for speaking the truth. "He is considered very close to Siddaramaiah," Joshi said.
"As far as I know, the Chief Minister instructed him that he would have to resign, but Rahul Gandhi gave a message that he has to be sacked. The message was not to accept his resignation. If someone tells the truth, that person is removed immediately." Joshi added that Rajanna, a 72-year-old Scheduled Tribe leader, was a victim of Congress's "greatest insult to democratic institutions and also to the community which he represents."
Also read: 'Dropped' by Cong high command, KN Rajanna hints at conspiracy
Rajanna claims a "huge conspiracy" behind his departure from the state cabinet. His exit follows controversial comments on voter fraud that contradicted the Congress party’s official position. In an attempt to present an explanation, Rajanna clarified that his previous remarks on "vote theft" were misunderstood.
He, further, said, “Look, if we just start talking about such things casually, there will be different opinions. When was the voter list prepared? It was prepared when our own government was in power. At that time, was everyone just sitting quietly with their eyes closed? These irregularities did take place — that’s the truth. There is nothing false in this.”
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