Ramalinga Reddy resigns as Karnataka minister

The two-day-old Congress Government in Karnataka, led by Chief Minister DK 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 DK 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.