Bengaluru, December 9: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resigned as the Congress Legislative Party leader shortly after the party suffered a crushing defeat in the Karnataka assembly bypolls 2019. The move came as a shocker for scores among the party ranks as no one had speculated the exit of Siddaramaiah. The 71-year-old was at the helm of the party's campaign in the 15-seat by-elections held on December 5.

Siddaramaiah, in his statement, said he has to contemplate on his role in the party. With the voters outrightly rejecting the Congress, it is imperative upon him to step down from the post of Legislative Party leader, he said. Congress' DK Shivakumar Says 'Party Accepts Defeat, Voters Backed Defectors'.

"As a leader of 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 said.

Update by ANI

The statement came shortly after senior state Congress leader DK Shivakumar, while speaking to reporters, said the party has humbly accepted its defeat in the bypolls. "The voters have accepted the defectors and we have accepted our defeat...There is no reason for us to be disheartened," he said.

Out of the 15 seats which were contested in the by-elections, the BJP ended up winning 12 constituencies. The Congress, which earlier held 11 of these seats, was reduced to 2 assembly segments. One independent candidate emerged the winner, whereas, the Janata Dal (Secular) lost from all the seats.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 09, 2019 03:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).