K'taka Minister Ramalinga Reddy resigns

Minister for Water Resources Ramalinga Reddy on Friday announced his decision to resign from the Karnataka Cabinet, alleging that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had gone back on his promise regarding the allocation of the Bengaluru Urban portfolio.

The development is perceived as a setback for Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who has newly assumed the role.

The development also comes a day after the allocation of portfolios.

Speaking from his Koramangala office in Bengaluru, Reddy said he would submit his resignation and leave it to the leadership to decide whether to accept it or not.

He said that in 2023, he was initially informed about the Bengaluru Development portfolio, but was later allotted the Transport portfolio instead.

Reddy alleged that after he expressed dissatisfaction, senior leaders, including then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others, were involved in discussions regarding the issue.

He further claimed that during the current government formation process, he was promised the Bengaluru Urban portfolio after 2.5 years and was persuaded to accept the arrangement.

He alleged that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his brother D.K. Suresh had personally assured him at his residence that the promise would be honoured. He said that despite repeated assurances, he was later allocated the Water Resources portfolio instead of Bengaluru Urban.

Stating that he could not continue “against his conscience”, Reddy announced his resignation from the ministerial post, while clarifying that he would continue as an MLA and remain in the Congress party.

Reddy, a veteran Congress leader, traced his political journey since 1973, saying he entered politics as a student leader through the NSUI and has since served the party for over five decades.

He noted that he has contested the Assembly elections nine times and has been elected multiple times from Bengaluru constituencies, including Jayanagar and BTM Layout.

Recalling his ministerial career, Reddy said he had served in the cabinets of Veerappa Moily, S.M. Krishna, Dharam Singh, and Siddaramaiah, and had never demanded a specific portfolio from any Chief Minister.

He signed the resignation papers in the presence of party workers at his office.

During the interaction, when party workers urged him to reconsider and said KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad was speaking to him over the matter, Reddy reportedly reacted sharply, asking them not to interfere and proceeded with the resignation process.