Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy Resigns Over Bengaluru Urban Portfolio Dispute
Ramalinga Reddy resigns from Karnataka Cabinet citing disagreement over portfolio allocation.
Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Friday announced his resignation from the state Cabinet, a day after portfolios were allocated in the newly formed government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The move comes amid allegations of unmet assurances regarding key ministerial postings, marking an early political setback for the new administration.
Reddy, speaking from his Koramangala office in Bengaluru, stated that he would submit his resignation and leave it to the party leadership to decide on its acceptance. He clarified that while he was stepping down from his ministerial post, he would continue as a Member of the Legislative Assembly and remain within the Congress party. The development has drawn attention within political circles due to its timing immediately after the Cabinet portfolio distribution.
The senior Congress leader alleged that he had been promised the Bengaluru Urban portfolio during discussions related to government formation, but was instead allotted the Water Resources Department. He claimed that similar assurances had been made earlier during the 2023 allocation process, when he was initially considered for a different portfolio before being assigned Transport.
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Reddy further stated that senior leaders, including Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his brother D.K. Suresh, had personally assured him that the Bengaluru Urban portfolio would be allocated after a stipulated period. However, he said those assurances were not honoured in the final allocation, prompting his decision to step down on grounds of conscience.
The veteran leader, who has served in multiple Congress-led governments over several decades, also highlighted his long political career, noting his entry into politics in the early 1970s and his repeated electoral successes from Bengaluru constituencies. He emphasised that he had never previously insisted on specific portfolios in his ministerial tenure across different administrations.
Party sources indicated that discussions are ongoing within the Congress leadership regarding the resignation, and it remains to be seen whether it will be formally accepted. The development is being viewed as an internal challenge for the newly constituted Cabinet as it begins its tenure.
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