‘Have been humiliated’: Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy quits over portfolio row

Key points

• Senior Karnataka Congress leader and minister R Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the state Cabinet just two days after taking oath, citing strong dissatisfaction over the portfolio allotted to him.
• Reddy was assigned the Major and Medium Irrigation department but had reportedly expected the Bengaluru Development portfolio, a politically significant department overseeing the state capital.
• He said the department had earlier been “assured” to him during internal discussions in 2023, with an understanding that he would receive it later in the power-sharing arrangement.
• In his resignation letter, he thanked the CM for including him in the cabinet but said he is resigning, as he cannot function against his conscience.
• According to reports, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and current Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had both indicated he would be given the Bengaluru Development portfolio, but it was eventually allotted to Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.