Senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy has resigned from his ministerial post in the new Shivakumar government, citing displeasure over portfolio allocation and creating an immediate political setback.
Key Points
- Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy resigned as minister due to dissatisfaction with his portfolio allocation.
- Reddy had desired the Bengaluru Development portfolio but was assigned Major and Medium Irrigation projects.
- His resignation represents a significant setback for the newly formed Shivakumar government in Karnataka.
- Reddy remained firm in his decision, rejecting last-minute attempts by the Congress leadership to persuade him.
The two-day-old Congress government in Karnataka, led by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, suffered a setback on Friday when Minister Ramalinga Reddy resigned, expressing displeasure over portfolio allocation
Reddy said he was promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio but was instead made minister for major and medium irrigation projects.
The resignation came after Chief Minister D K Shivakumar allotted portfolios on Thursday night.
"I am resigning from my post because I cannot work against conscience," Reddy said at a press conference.
He said, "How long can I tolerate this humiliation, and what other options did I have?"
"Twice they called me and promised to give me that (Bengaluru Development) portfolio, but in the end it went to someone else. That is why I feel hurt. Therefore, today I am resigning," Reddy told reporters, while asserting that he would continue in Congress and remain as MLA.
The development marks the first major challenge for the Shivakumar government, which assumed office on Wednesday.
Reddy, an eight-time MLA from Bengaluru, said he had never lobbied for a ministerial office or sought any specific department from the party leadership during his five-decade-long political career.
Asked whether he would reconsider if persuaded by the party leadership or offered the portfolio he wanted, Reddy replied with a firm "no".
"I will remain in the Congress party. I will continue as a Congress MLA. There is no second thought about that," he said.
During the press conference, the Congress leadership made a last-ditch attempt to persuade him, but Reddy remained firm, saying the time to heed any suggestions had lapsed.
He added that his resignation letter would be sent through intermediaries rather than submitted personally.
"I will send it. I won't go personally. I don't want to," he said.
Sources close to Shivakumar told PTI that his resignation had not yet been accepted.
"We will placate him. These are trivial matters, which we will resolve soon," a source said.
The development came on the day AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi were in Bengaluru for Kharge's Rajya Sabha nomination filing.
It also coincided with municipal elections in Bengaluru approaching, a constituency where Reddy holds considerable sway.
Following the development, Shivakumar said he would meet Reddy personally to pacify him.
The CM acknowledged that he had earlier assured Reddy of the Bengaluru Development portfolio, but said the final decision rested with the Congress leadership.
"It is true that I had earlier told him that when I came to power, I would give him this department. It is also true that when I persuaded him and gave him the Transport portfolio, it was celebrated almost like a ceremonial occasion. However, the high command has taken a decision," Shivakumar told reporters.
Another minister, K H Muniyappa, also publicly expressed dissatisfaction over the portfolio allocation, stating that seniority had not been given due consideration and urging the Congress leadership to revisit the decision.
Muniyappa was allotted the Food and Civil Supplies portfolio, though he had preferred the Social Welfare or Agriculture departments.
"Seniority has not been maintained. Ramalinga Reddy has won eight times. I have won eight times. There are others who have won seven, six and five times. All this has to be looked at in a balanced manner," he told reporters.
The senior Congress leader urged AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge to ensure that experienced leaders are treated fairly and given due consideration.
Senior Congress leaders sought to downplay Reddy's resignation, expressing confidence that the party leadership would engage with him and resolve the issue.
Karnataka home minister Priyank Kharge and senior Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao separately said the veteran leader's concerns would be addressed through discussions.
Congress state president B K Hariprasad too said he would speak to him and resolve the issue.
"Such things keep happening in politics. There is no problem. But he will talk to us; he is not going to do anything against the Congress party," he said.
The issue allowed the BJP to target the ruling party in Karnataka. "The Shivakumar government will not last even two years," BJP state president B Y Vijayendra told reporters here.
"There is already a tug-of-war over who should get which portfolio and who should be given charge of which district. Amid this infighting, Reddy has resigned," he added.
Later in the evening, Shivakumar and his wife attended a dinner at Kharge's residence in Bengaluru. It is believed that the leaders also discussed Reddy's resignation during the meeting.
