Disappointed: Minister quits DKS cabinet after being denied desired portfolio
Barely days after the DK Shivakumar cabinet was formed, signs of internal discord have emerged. Senior Congress leader and Karnataka minister Ramalinga Reddy has resigned amid discontent over his cabinet portfolio. Sources told India Today that he is upset over being denied the Bengaluru Development portfolio.
After signing his resignation letter on camera, he told reporters, “Twice they said Bengaluru would be given to me. Now I am disappointed. Hence, I am resigning as minister.”
“DK came to my house and said once I became CM, I’ll let go of this ministry and you can take it,” Reddy claimed, adding that he met Shivakumar a day before the swearing-in ceremony and was again told that the Bengaluru portfolio would be allocated to him.
He further clarified that he would continue as an MLA and was not upset with either Shivakumar or former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Reddy also said he would not personally submit his resignation letter, but would send it to the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary through a supporter.
The eight-time legislator had expressed his unwillingness to accept any ministry other than Bengaluru Development. However, he was instead allotted the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio, triggering intense discussions within the Karnataka government.
While Shivakumar has retained the Finance portfolio, he has given up Bengaluru Development Department, which he previously held.
The influential portfolio has now been entrusted to senior Congress leader Krishna Byre Gowda.
Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and politically significant departments in the Karnataka government, the Bengaluru Development portfolio oversees planning and infrastructure in the state capital.
Ramalinga Reddy, 72, MLA from BTM Layout, had been serving as Minister for Transport and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments in the Siddaramaiah government. A veteran Congress leader, he has also held the Home portfolio in the past.
Krishna Byre Gowda, 53, who served as Revenue Minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet, has now been handed one of the most sought-after assignments in the state government.
A prominent Vokkaliga leader, Gowda hails from a well-known political family.
His father, C Byre Gowda, was a former Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and also served as Agriculture Minister. Krishna Byre Gowda currently represents the Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency in Bengaluru.
