Congress Is Not a One-Person Party: Priyank Kharge on Siddaramaiah’s Vote-Puller Remark

Congress Not One Individual’s Party, Says Priyank Kharge After Siddaramaiah Vote-Puller Remark.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday pushed back against remarks made by former Congress minister KN Rajanna, who claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was the key vote-puller for the party in the state.

Rajanna had described Siddaramaiah as a mass leader and said, in his personal view, that the Congress could not secure votes in Karnataka without him. The remarks came as Siddaramaiah surpassed veteran leader Devaraj Urs to become the state’s longest-serving Chief Minister.

“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. “Siddaramaiah is a mass puller, and if he is in the party, Congress will get votes. This is my personal opinion.”

Reacting sharply, Priyank Kharge said such statements were inappropriate and undermined the collective nature of the party.

“I want to clearly state one thing—such statements are not right. When a B-form is required, the Congress party is needed. When campaigning is required during elections, the Congress leadership is needed. Our ideology and principles are needed,” Kharge said.

He added that it was wrong to question the party’s identity after enjoying electoral success or holding power. “This is how the Congress has functioned for 140 years. The party has a long history, its leadership has evolved continuously, and it will continue to do so. The Congress does not belong to any one individual,” he said.

Kharge’s remarks come amid internal disquiet within the party following Rajanna’s assertion that Siddaramaiah alone was responsible for Congress’ electoral success.

Rajanna was removed from the Karnataka cabinet in August 2025 after he publicly criticised the party’s position on electoral issues and made controversial comments on alleged voter list irregularities. Senior leaders in the Congress high command were reportedly upset, as his remarks appeared to blame the party’s own government for lapses during its tenure, leading to disciplinary action and his exit from the cabinet.