Bengaluru, June 5: A political storm has erupted in Karnataka following the allocation of ministerial departments in the newly formed government. Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the 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 appointed Chief Minister. The resignation came just a day after the department allocations were announced.
In his resignation letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Reddy expressed gratitude for the ministerial role but stated, “I cannot act against my conscience, hence I am resigning. 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 revealed 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 instead. He claimed that when he expressed dissatisfaction, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other senior leaders were brought into discussions.
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 repeated assurances, Reddy was ultimately assigned the Water Resources Department instead of the promised Bengaluru urban area department, leading to his decision to resign. However, he clarified that he would remain a legislator and continue his affiliation with the Congress party.
A senior Congress leader, Reddy began his political journey in 1973 as a student leader in the NSUI and has served the party for over five decades. He has contested assembly elections nine times 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 leaders like Veerappa Moily, S.M. Krishna, Dharam Singh, and Siddaramaiah, and has never requested a specific department from any Chief Minister. 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, mentioning that KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad was discussing the matter with him. Reddy reportedly responded sharply, asking them not to interfere and proceeded with the resignation process.
In another statement, Reddy remarked, “I have been with the Congress party for the past 53 years. I have held various responsibilities within the party and served as a minister in the cabinets of former Chief Ministers M. Veerappa Moily and S.M. Krishna, among others. I have never asked anyone for a ministerial position.”
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