Senior Congress leader and eight-time MLA Ramalinga Reddy on Friday announced his resignation from the D K Shivakumar-led Karnataka Cabinet, expressing disappointment over not being allotted the Bengaluru Development portfolio.
Reddy was assigned the Water Resources portfolio, while the Bengaluru Development portfolio went to Krishna Byre Gowda. The veteran legislator said he could not work against his conscience and had therefore decided to step down from the Cabinet.
Reddy cites unfulfilled promises
Addressing a press conference, Reddy claimed that he had been promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio on multiple occasions by senior party leaders.
According to him, both Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar had assured him of the portfolio in the past, but the final allocation was changed each time.
“I have never asked anyone for a portfolio. But I was promised Bengaluru Development and it was later changed,” Reddy said while announcing his resignation.
Will remain a Congress MLA
Despite stepping down from the Cabinet, Reddy clarified that he would continue as a Congress MLA and remain loyal to the party.
Highlighting his political journey, he noted that he had been associated with the Congress since joining NSUI in 1983 and had won eight consecutive Assembly elections from Bengaluru.
Reddy also pointed out that he had served as a minister in several Karnataka governments and had previously handled the Bengaluru Development portfolio.
CM seeks to resolve issue
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar downplayed the development, describing Reddy as a close friend and senior leader.
“He feels he should work for Bengaluru and urban welfare. I will speak to him again and sort out the issue,” Shivakumar said.
The resignation presents the first major challenge for the new Chief Minister, who assumed office earlier this week. Party leaders are expected to hold discussions with Reddy in an effort to resolve the matter.