Rajanna's removal is party's internal matter: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Thursday that removal of K N Rajanna from the Cabinet is "internal matter" of the ruling party.

Responding on the issue for the first time after sacking of Rajanna, Siddaramaiah sought to know from the Opposition parties in the Legislative Council as to why he should them about his party's internal matters.

Leader of the Opposition in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy raised the issue by asking the chief minister Why Rajanna was removed from the Cabinet. "You have done injustice to Dalits by dropping Rajanna from Cabinet. Explain reason for his removal," Chalavadi asked. He added that the Leader of the House had promised of giving a response on this.

However, Chairman of the House Basavaraj Horatti said, "When this question was raised the other day, the Leader of the House said that it is the discretion of the government to retain or remove someone. I have closed that matter and it cannot be discussed again."

However, the BJP members insisted for an answer from the chief minister, who decided to step out of the House. The BJP members asked him not to evade a reply, which prompted Siddaramaiah return to his seat.

Siddaramaiah said, “What are you talking about? We will not answer your question. The Leader of the House has already responded.” Narayanaswamy reacted saying it is the culture of the Congress to mistreat Dalits. 

“This is not our culture—it’s your culture. Didn’t Dhankar resign? Did you discuss it? When Yediyurappa resigned as chief minister, did anyone give a reason? Why did you expel Yatnal from the party—did you explain? All these are internal matters of the party. There is no need to tell you, ” Siddaramaiah said, as he walked out of the House.