One Portfolio, Many Aspirants: Why Karnataka Leaders Can't Stop Fighting For Bengaluru

Key points

• One Portfolio, Many Aspirants: Why Karnataka Leaders Can't Stop Fighting For Bengaluru Published By, Last Updated: June 05, 2026, 12:47 IST The elections to the city's civic body, scheduled for later this month, are expected to become one of the biggest political contests in Karnataka before the next assembly polls.
• Rapid Read Ramalinga Reddy (right) has resigned over not getting the Bengaluru portfolio, which has been given to Krishna Byre Gowda.
• (Image: PTI) The Karnataka Congress government is facing fresh turbulence after senior leader Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the newly-formed DK Shivakumar Cabinet reportedly over not being allocated the Bengaluru Development portfolio.
• The controversy has drawn attention to the department that routinely sparks intense political competition within Karnataka’s ruling circles.
• For many leaders, Bengaluru Development is one of the most powerful and politically rewarding portfolios in the state government.