Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy Resigns Over Department Allocation

Karnataka Cabinet Minister Ramalinga Reddy has stepped down from his ministerial position, citing dissatisfaction with the department allocation announced by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The allocation, finalized on Thursday, assigned Reddy the Water Resources Department, while he had reportedly sought the Bengaluru Development portfolio.

Speaking to the media, Reddy clarified that he remains a member of the Congress party and has not resigned from it. He highlighted his long-standing association with the party, spanning 53 years, during which he has held various responsibilities and served in multiple cabinets under different chief ministers. Reddy emphasized that he had never personally lobbied for a ministerial position.

The department allocation by CM Shivakumar also saw Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's son, Priyank Kharge, being assigned the Home Ministry. Shivakumar retained several key portfolios, including Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, and Intelligence.

According to news agency PTI, Reddy walked out of the first cabinet meeting held on Thursday, where the department allocations were discussed. During the meeting, he reportedly reminded the Chief Minister of a 2023 promise to assign him the Bengaluru Development portfolio during any cabinet reshuffle.

This development comes amidst a broader reshuffle in the Karnataka cabinet, with key portfolios being distributed among 13 ministers. The situation remains dynamic, with further updates expected in the coming days.