‘No Resignation, Sack Rajanna’: Rahul Gandhi’s Morning Call With Siddaramaiah Set The Ball Rolling

Last Updated:August 11, 2025, 19:37 IST

According to a Congress source, Rahul Gandhi's message was unequivocal: "I am not talking about his resignation, sack him."

The conversation between Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah (right) and Rahul Gandhi was brief and to the point. (PTI File)

In a dramatic turn of events that sent shockwaves through the political circles, Karnataka Minister Rajanna was unceremoniously sacked from his position, following a direct order from Congress leader and LoP Rahul Gandhi.

The move, which insiders reveal, was a direct intervention from the party high command, came after the minister’s actions caused significant embarrassment to the party.

Sources close to top Congress leadership have provided an inside track on the day’s developments, revealing a series of high-level phone calls that sealed Rajanna’s fate. The day began with a morning call from All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K.C. Venugopal to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Venugopal, reportedly expressing the party’s displeasure over the “Rajanna episode" and the embarrassment it had caused, asked Siddaramaiah to immediately drop the minister from his cabinet.

Initially, Siddaramaiah, taking into account the ongoing assembly session, requested a delay, proposing to accept Rajanna’s resignation after 10 days. However, Venugopal was insistent and advised the Chief Minister to speak directly with Rahul Gandhi.

The conversation between Siddaramaiah and Rahul Gandhi was brief and to the point. According to a Congress source, Rahul Gandhi’s message was unequivocal: “I am not talking about his resignation, sack him."

This direct and unambiguous directive left no room for negotiation.

Following the conversation, the Chief Minister’s office acted swiftly. Around 1 pm, a message was conveyed to Rajanna informing him of the decision. Subsequently, the Chief Minister wrote to the Governor, recommending that Rajanna be dropped from the council of ministers, formalising his dismissal.

This swift action highlights the party leadership’s firm stance against indiscipline and signals a clear message that no one is above the party’s reputation. This is not the first time Rajanna went against the party diktat.

Harish Upadhya

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...Read More

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...

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August 11, 2025, 19:37 IST

News politics ‘No Resignation, Sack Rajanna’: Rahul Gandhi’s Morning Call With Siddaramaiah Set The Ball Rolling

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