Sworn in as a minister alongside the new chief minister on Wednesday, Ramalinga Reddy submitted his resignation just two days later on Friday, creating an early setback for the newly formed DK Shivakumar government in Karnataka. Reddy reportedly stepped down after expressing dissatisfaction over his portfolio allocation.
Confirming his resignation, Reddy said he had been assured the Bengaluru Development portfolio by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, but was instead assigned the Irrigation portfolio, which he said was unacceptable.
“DK Shivakumar came to my house before becoming chief minister and told me I would be given the Bengaluru portfolio. I never asked for any specific department; he offered it himself, and I agreed,” Reddy said.
He further claimed that the promise was repeated twice, but the final allocation did not match the assurance.
“Therefore, I am resigning from the minister’s post,” Reddy said after submitting his resignation letter.
Responding to the development, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar described Ramalinga Reddy as both a senior leader and a close friend, saying efforts would be made to resolve the matter.
“Ramalinga Reddy is a senior leader and a close friend. We will sort it out,” Shivakumar said.
Ramalinga Reddy further stated that he would not accept any ministerial position under DK Shivakumar, even if he is now offered the portfolio he had originally sought.
“Even if they offer me the Bengaluru portfolio now, I will not accept it. I will continue working as an MLA and remain with the Congress,” Reddy said.
On Thursday night, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar assigned portfolios to his 13 ministers.
Sources said Reddy had strongly pushed for the Bengaluru Development portfolio but was denied the post. He is also believed to have walked out of the meeting held on Thursday to finalise portfolio allocations.
During the discussion, Reddy reportedly reminded the chief minister about a promise made in 2023 that he would be given the Bengaluru Development portfolio during the next Cabinet reshuffle.
The BJP criticised the Congress government over the resignation, claiming it reflected growing divisions within the party. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi told NDTV, “There will be more internal disagreements within the government. Changing the chief minister will not help the Congress.”
Meanwhile, the Congress attempted to downplay the controversy, with Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge describing Reddy as an “important leader both for the party and the state.”
Ramalinga Reddy remains a prominent Congress leader in Bengaluru. The 73-year-old is an eight-time MLA from the BTM Layout constituency and has previously served as Transport Minister, Muzrai Minister, and Home Minister in the Karnataka government.