Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has admitted that senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy was promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio, following Reddy’s resignation from the Cabinet over the issue.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Friday, Shivakumar said he would personally meet Reddy and attempt to resolve the matter.

CM confirms earlier assurance

Shivakumar acknowledged that he and his brother had earlier assured Reddy that he would be given the Bengaluru Development portfolio when he assumed office.

He also recalled that Reddy had previously been persuaded to accept the Transport portfolio after discussions with senior party leaders.

“We did give him our word, and that is true,” Shivakumar said, adding that Reddy’s demand was understandable given his long political association with Bengaluru.

High command took final decision

Explaining the allocation of the Bengaluru Development portfolio to Krishna Byre Gowda, Shivakumar said the decision was taken by the Congress high command.

He stated that he had raised the matter with the party leadership but a different decision was ultimately made.

“The party and the high command arrived at a different decision. What has happened has happened,” he said.

Reddy stands by resignation

Earlier in the day, Ramalinga Reddy announced his resignation from the Cabinet after being allotted the Water Resources portfolio instead of Bengaluru Development.

The veteran Congress leader said he could not go against his conscience and claimed that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had assured him of the Bengaluru Development portfolio on previous occasions.

Reddy, however, clarified that he would continue to remain a Congress MLA.

First challenge for new Chief Minister

The resignation has emerged as the first major political challenge for Shivakumar since taking charge as Chief Minister.

While the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the issue could be resolved through dialogue, he maintained that any changes to portfolio allocations would depend on the party leadership’s decision.

Congress leaders are expected to continue discussions with Reddy in an effort to end the standoff.#DKShivakumar #RamalingaReddy #Congress #KarnatakaPolitics #Cabinet #newskarnataka