Ramalinga Reddy Resigns Over Portfolio Row, DKS Vows Resolution
Sources said Reddy had been adamant on the Bengaluru Development portfolio, which he was denied
BENGALURU: Days after taking oath as a Cabinet rank minister in the newly sworn-in ministry of D.K. Shivakumar, senior Congressman Ramalinga Reddy on Friday announced his resignation from the ministry, expressing displeasure in him over not being allocated the Bengaluru incharge portfolio as assured by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and instead gave the Water Resources Ministry much to his dislike. Bengaluru incharge is allocated to Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
Responding to the resignation of Ramalinga Reddy unhappy over portfolio allocation to him, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday assured to discuss with the miffed leader and termed Ramalinga Reddy as an “important leader.” Shivakumar said Reddy is his great friend and assured to resolve the matter amicably through discussion.
Portfolios to sworn-in ministers were allocated on Thursday late evening. Reddy displayed his resignation copy at a press conference and stated, “I won’t tender resignation to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar personally but will send it through his office/close aides.”
“I was denied Bengaluru incharge twice”, Reddy stated prior to his resignation, and his resignation copy stated, “Not to go against my conscience.”
Ahead of his resignation announcement, the newly appointed president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) B.K. Hariprasad wanted to speak to Ramalinga Reddy and Reddy turned down his request and went on to announce his resignation.
A visibly angry Reddy stated to the Congress leaders, including central leaders, “Let them do whatever they want to do.” He made it clear he remained firm on his resignation and stated, “I will remain as an MLA and in the Congress party itself.”
Expressing displeasure against Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Ramalinga Reddy, an 8-time MLA, recalled the Congress party returning to power in May 2023. Siddaramaiah, who was the Chief Minister, assured to allocate Bengaluru incharge minister initially and later allocated the Transport ministry. Bengaluru incharge was given to D.K. Shivakumar, who served as Deputy Chief Minister under Siddaramaiah.
“I was disappointed then and thought of tendering my resignation. Incumbent Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, then a Deputy Chief Minister, along with his brother D.K. Suresh, a former Lok Sabha member, assured to hand over Bengaluru incharge ministership to me after two-and-a-half years. Then I kept quiet (accepted the Transport portfolio and continued),” Reddy said.
“D.K. Shivakumar assured me to allocate Bengaluru incharge portfolio before he took oath as Chief Minister,” Reddy said on the promise made by D.K. Shivakumar then but “Not kept his assurance.”
