Karnataka bypolls debacle: Congress leader Siddaramaiah, KPCC chief to step down

Speaking to the media here separately, both the leaders said that they were stepping down as the party could not win expected number of seats despite all the efforts made by the leaders unitedly.

Siddaramaiah, in a letter to AICC Supremo Sonia Gandhi, has thanked for the faith she had and appointed him as Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader. However, owning moral responsibility for the party's debacle he was tendering resignation and would extend all help to strengthen the party at all levels.

Speaking to the media at KPCC office, Gundu Rao said that he would be sending his resignation letter to AICC Supremo Sonia Gandhi and AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal Rao, who was also Incharge of party affairs in Karnataka. "We accept peoples verdict. Despite our sincere efforts the voters have rejected. I own moral responsibility and stepping down."

Former Minister and senior Congress leader U T Khadar, reacting sharply to the resignations by Siddaramaiah and Gundu Rao, urged both of them to withdraw their resignation letters since the defeat in the election was not that of the party but people.

"Despite the Supreme Court upholding the disqualification of MLAs who contested on BJP ticket, the voters have again voted for them. They were recommended for disqualification by the Speaker as they indulged in anti-party activities and defied party's whip while confidence motion was moved. But it is unfortunate that voters have not understood all these and again voted for the disqualified MLAs who contested on BJP ticket," Khadar said.