Are Invisible Hands Behind K.N. Rajanna's Ouster?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rajanna claims external forces influenced his Cabinet removal.
- He aims to continue his public service despite challenges.
- Development projects in his constituency are ongoing.
- His resignation impacts the dynamics within the Congress party.
- Rajanna advocates for addressing voter fraud allegations sooner.
Bengaluru, Aug 15 (NationPress) Former Karnataka Minister K.N. Rajanna stated on Friday that there are “invisible hands” orchestrating his removal from the state Cabinet under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
“I firmly believe that the high command will recognize the validity of my situation. I suspect there are individuals in Delhi who are deliberately undermining my position. If there are attempts to eliminate me politically, I am well aware of the strategies involved,” he remarked.
Rajanna expressed his intention to utilize this period to assist the public and engage in meaningful endeavors.
When questioned about the “invisible hands,” Rajanna elaborated, “What other explanation could there be? Even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seemed clueless. On the day he visited Vidhana Soudha, he remained in his vehicle and communicated with Delhi over the phone regarding my resignation.”
“He spent 20 minutes on the call, attempting to address the matter. While he tried to persuade the high command, they informed him that their decision was final. CM Siddaramaiah conveyed to me that there was no alternative and that this was the situation. I assured him it was not an issue,” Rajanna recounted.
Praising the Congress-led state government, he asserted that a pro-people administration is in power, delivering commendable service.
He mentioned that the guarantees have been effectively implemented, noting that although development initiatives are not advancing as swiftly as desired, no projects have been halted.
“Wherever CM Siddaramaiah travels, he inaugurates development projects valued between Rs 500 to Rs 600 crore. In my constituency, a lake-filling initiative with a budget of Rs 300 crore is currently in progress. Additionally, road construction has commenced in both urban and rural areas,” Rajanna stated.
He also mentioned that after Union Minister V. Somanna became the Lok Sabha member representing the Tumakuru seat, which includes his constituency, he secured Rs 30 crore from the central government for various development projects.
K.N. Rajanna was asked to resign as Minister for Cooperation on August 11 due to his comments regarding the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's press conference in Delhi and a protest in Bengaluru regarding alleged voter fraud.
“If there was voter fraud, Congress should have raised the issue much earlier,” he commented.
Meanwhile, sources suggest that Rajanna's resignation has bolstered the position of Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar within the Congress party, overshadowing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Rajanna, a close ally of Siddaramaiah, had previously shown support for the Chief Minister while directing criticisms towards Shivakumar.