Bengaluru, June 5: Political turmoil has erupted in Karnataka following the allocation of departments among the newly appointed ministers. Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday, alleging that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar reneged on promises regarding the allocation of departments related to the Bengaluru urban area. This development is seen as a significant setback for the newly sworn-in Chief Minister. The resignation comes just a day after the distribution of portfolios.
In his resignation letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Reddy expressed gratitude for being entrusted with a ministerial role but stated, “I am unable to act against my conscience, hence I am resigning from the ministerial position. Please accept my resignation. I will continue to serve as a legislator and a worker of the Congress party.”
Speaking from his office in Koramangala, Bengaluru, Reddy mentioned that he was initially informed in 2023 that he would be assigned the Bengaluru Development Department, but later the Transport Department was allocated to him. He claimed that when he expressed dissatisfaction, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other senior leaders were involved in discussions regarding the matter.
Reddy asserted that during the formation of the current government, he was promised a department related to the Bengaluru urban area after two and a half years, and it was this assurance that convinced him to accept the arrangement. He alleged that both Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his brother D.K. Suresh personally visited his residence to assure him that the promise would be fulfilled.
Despite receiving repeated assurances, Reddy was ultimately assigned the Water Resources Department instead of the Bengaluru urban area department, which led to his decision to resign. However, he clarified that he would remain a legislator and continue his association with the Congress party.
A senior Congress leader, Reddy began his political journey in 1973 as a student leader with the NSUI and has served the party for over five decades. He has contested nine assembly elections and represented various constituencies in Bengaluru, including Jayanagar and BTM Layout.
Reflecting on his political and administrative experience, Reddy noted that he has served as a minister in the cabinets of Veerappa Moily, S.M. Krishna, Dharam Singh, and Siddaramaiah, and has never asked any Chief Minister for a specific department. He signed his resignation letter in the presence of party workers at his office.
During this time, some party workers urged him to reconsider his decision, stating that KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad was discussing the issue with him. In response, Reddy reportedly reacted sharply, asking them not to interfere and proceeded with the resignation process.
In another statement, Reddy said, “I have been with the Congress party for the past 53 years. I have held various responsibilities within the party. I have served as a minister in the cabinets of former Chief Ministers M. Veerappa Moily and S.M. Krishna, among others. I have never demanded a ministerial position from anyone.”