Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy Quits Over Portfolio Row
Senior Congress Leader Resigns Just Two Days After Taking Oath in DK Shivakumar Cabinet
- Ramalinga Reddy resigns from Karnataka Cabinet within two days
- Claims he was promised Bengaluru Development portfolio
- Refuses to accept any ministerial post under DK Shivakumar
- BJP calls resignation a sign of growing divisions in Congress
GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 5th June: In a major setback for the newly formed DK Shivakumar government in Karnataka, senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the state Cabinet on Friday, just two days after taking oath as a minister.
Reddy cited dissatisfaction over the allocation of portfolios, claiming that he had been promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar but was instead assigned the Irrigation Department.
Confirming his resignation, the eight-time MLA from Bengaluru’s BTM Layout constituency said the Chief Minister had personally assured him of the Bengaluru portfolio before taking office.
“DK Shivakumar came to my house before taking over as the Chief Minister. He told me that I would be given the Bengaluru portfolio. I had not asked for any portfolio; he offered it on his own and I agreed,” Reddy said.
The veteran Congress leader claimed the assurance was repeated twice but was not honoured when the portfolios were formally allocated on Thursday night.
“I was promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio. Instead, I was given Irrigation, which is not acceptable to me. Hence, I am resigning from the minister’s post,” he said.
Reddy also made it clear that he would not reconsider his decision even if the government later offered him the portfolio he sought.
“Even if they give me the Bengaluru portfolio now, I won’t accept it. I will work as an MLA and will remain with the Congress,” he said.
Sources indicated that Reddy had strongly insisted on being given charge of Bengaluru Development and had expressed his displeasure during discussions on portfolio allocation. He is also learnt to have walked out of a meeting held on Thursday regarding ministerial responsibilities.
According to party insiders, Reddy reminded the Chief Minister of an earlier assurance made in 2023 that he would be entrusted with the Bengaluru Development portfolio whenever a Cabinet reshuffle took place.
The resignation has provided fresh ammunition to the Opposition BJP, which accused the Congress of internal instability.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the development reflected growing divisions within the ruling party.
“There will be more dissensions within the government. Changing the Chief Minister will not help the Congress,” Joshi told reporters.
The Congress, however, attempted to contain the fallout, with Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge describing Reddy as an important leader for both the party and the state.
Reddy, 73, is among the most prominent Congress leaders in Bengaluru and has served in several key positions, including Minister for Transport, Home Affairs and Muzrai in previous Karnataka governments.
His resignation comes at a crucial time for Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who assumed office earlier this week following a prolonged leadership transition within the Karnataka Congress.
