Bengaluru, June 5
In an early setback for the newly formed Karnataka government, senior Congress leader and Minister R Ramalinga Reddy on Friday resigned from the cabinet just two days after taking oath, alleging that he had been repeatedly “humiliated” after being denied the Bengaluru Development portfolio despite what he described as repeated assurances from Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Reddy, an eight-time MLA from BTM Layout and one of the Congress party's most prominent leaders in Bengaluru, said he had been assured that he would be given charge of the Bengaluru Development Department once Shivakumar assumed office as Chief Minister. However, he was instead allocated the Irrigation portfolio in the new cabinet.
“I have been humiliated time and again. I cannot take it anymore,” Reddy told reporters after signing his resignation letter.
The resignation comes as the first major sign of discontent within the newly sworn-in cabinet and is likely to fuel political speculation over portfolio allocation and internal dynamics within the ruling Congress.
Explaining his decision, Reddy said Shivakumar had personally visited his residence and assured him that the Bengaluru Development portfolio would be handed over to him after the leadership transition.
According to Reddy, the assurance was reiterated a day before the swearing-in ceremony, only for the allocation to change at the last moment.
“Twice they told me that Bengaluru Development would be given to me. Now I am disappointed. Hence, I am resigning as minister,” he said.
Reddy further declared that he would not accept any ministerial berth in future, even if one of his preferred portfolios was offered.
“Even if they give me the Bengaluru Development portfolio now, I will not accept it. I will work as an MLA and will remain with the Congress,” he said.
The veteran leader clarified that his resignation was confined to the ministerial post and that he would continue as a Congress legislator.
He also said that instead of personally submitting his resignation letter, he would send it to the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary through a supporter.
A key political figure in Bengaluru, Reddy has represented the BTM Layout constituency eight times and has previously held important portfolios including Transport, Muzrai and Home Affairs in successive Karnataka governments.
While Shivakumar has retained the Finance portfolio, he has relinquished charge of the Bengaluru Development Department. The influential portfolio has been allotted to senior Congress leader Krishna Byre Gowda.
The Bengaluru Development Department is regarded as one of the most prestigious and politically significant portfolios in the Karnataka government, overseeing urban planning, infrastructure development and major civic projects in Bengaluru, the state's capital.
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