Bangalore:
In a jolt to the Congress in Karnataka, party opposition leader in the assembly Mr Siddaramaiah announced his resignation from the post saying that the High Command apparently lacked confidence in his leadership.
"It looks that the High Command lacks faith in my leadership and since they have not taken me into confidence to nominate candidates to contest the Legislative Council election, I have tendered my resignation," he told reporters.
Mr Siddaramaiah, who is upset over his loyalist former Union Minister CM Ibrahim being denied nomination, said that he has already shot off his resignation letter to the party President Sonia Gandhi and the state party Chief G Parameshwar.
Mr Siddaramaiah has submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker KG Bopaiah.
The senior Congress leader's announcement comes a day after the High Command denied tickets to his supporters for the June 11 council elections from the assembly. Mr Siddaramaiah had reportedly suggested Ibrahim as one of four candidates.
He said that the High Command had assured Mr Ibrahim's candidature but later nominated candidates without consulting him.
Replying to a question, he said that he was hurt by the disrespect shown to the post of the Opposition Leader. "Whoever occupies an honourable post in a democratic set-up should uphold the dignity of the post."
"Once I have tendered my resignation, there is no question of going back," he said in reply to a query.
Asked if he would accompany Congress candidates for filing of nominations for the Council election, he said that he wouldn't go, but would go to cast his vote.
On whether he would participate in Rahul Gandhi's programme at Hubli, Mr Siddaramaiah said that he would decide later.