Congress’s big loss in Karnataka by polls; Siddaramaiah, Dinesh Gundu Rao step down from posts stating ”moral responsibility”

Bengaluru: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday win 12 out of the total 15 seats which went to by polls in Karnataka. Former CM and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah stepped down as the Congress Legislative Party leader taking “moral responsibility” for the loss. Karnataka Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao also quit from position. “taking moral responsibility he resigned from the post”, he said.

Addressing reporters, Siddaramaiah said he has submitted his resignation to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi. “I have also resigned as Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly,” he added. “As a leader of the legislative party, I need to respect democracy. I have resigned as Congress Legislative Party leader. I have submitted my resignation to Sonia Gandhi ji,” Siddaramaiah told reporters.

In his letter to the interim Congress chief, Siddaramaiah wrote: “I am grateful to you for the confidence reposed in me and entrusting the responsibility of leadership of Congress Legislative Party in Karnataka. I express my sincere regrets for not being able to give satisfactory results in the recently concluded bye-elections held to Karnataka Legislative Assembly despite my sincere efforts. I deem it necessary to step down as Leader of CLP by taking moral responsibility.”