Ramalinga Reddy Quits Karnataka Cabinet
Senior Congress leader R Ramalinga Reddy has resigned as Karnataka minister just two days after taking oath, triggering the first major cabinet challenge for Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s new government.
Ramalinga Reddy Resigns As Karnataka Minister
Reddy submitted his resignation after expressing dissatisfaction over the portfolio allocated to him in the new Karnataka cabinet. He said he had been “humiliated time and again” and indicated that the latest portfolio decision had crossed a line.
The senior Bengaluru leader was among the ministers sworn in after Shivakumar took charge as Chief Minister following Siddaramaiah’s resignation.
Portfolio Row Hits DK Shivakumar Cabinet
The dispute reportedly centres on the Bengaluru Development portfolio. Reddy claimed Shivakumar had earlier assured him that the department would be given to him, but later reversed the decision.
The resignation has created political discomfort for the Congress government because Reddy is a senior leader with strong influence in Bengaluru politics. His exit also raises questions over portfolio management within the newly formed cabinet.
Karnataka Congress Faces Internal Pressure
The development comes at a sensitive time for the Congress, which recently completed a major leadership transition in Karnataka. Shivakumar is now facing the challenge of keeping senior leaders satisfied while balancing regional, caste and factional expectations.
Congress leaders are expected to hold discussions to resolve the issue and prevent the dispute from widening. The party will be keen to avoid early instability in the new government, especially after projecting the leadership change as a smooth internal transition.
