Congress Doesn’t Depend on One Leader Alone, Says Priyank Kharge Amid Siddaramaiah Debate

Congress Not a One-Man Party, Says Priyank Kharge After Siddaramaiah ‘Vote-Puller’ Claim

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday strongly rebutted remarks by former Congress minister KN Rajanna, who claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was the primary vote-puller for the party in the state.

Rajanna had described Siddaramaiah as a mass leader and said the Congress would struggle to win elections without him. His comments came as Siddaramaiah became Karnataka’s longest-serving Chief Minister, surpassing veteran leader Devaraj Urs.

“Without Yediyurappa, there is no BJP in Karnataka. Without Deve Gowda and his family, there is no JD(S). And without Siddaramaiah, there is no Congress,” Rajanna said, calling the Chief Minister a “mass puller” whose presence guaranteed votes for the party.

Reacting sharply, Kharge said such statements undermined the party’s collective strength and ideology.

“These statements are not appropriate. When a B-form is required, it is the Congress party that provides it. When elections are fought, it is the Congress leadership, its ideology, and its principles that matter,” Kharge said.

He added that questioning the party’s relevance after enjoying power was wrong. “The Congress has existed for 140 years. Its leadership has grown continuously and will continue to grow. This party does not belong to any one individual,” he said.

Kharge’s remarks follow internal pushback within the Congress over Rajanna’s assertion that Siddaramaiah alone delivered votes to the party.

Rajanna was sacked from the Karnataka cabinet in August 2025 after making controversial public remarks on electoral issues and alleged voter list irregularities. Party leaders were reportedly upset that his comments appeared to blame the Congress government itself for lapses during its tenure, prompting disciplinary action and his removal.