Ramalinga Reddy Quits Karnataka Cabinet in Just 42 Hours, Says ‘Cannot Work Against My Conscience’
Bengaluru, June 5: In a major political setback for Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s newly formed government, senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the Karnataka Cabinet barely 42 hours after taking oath as a minister, citing disappointment over portfolio allocation and saying he could not work “against his conscience.”
Reddy, who was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister at Lok Bhavan on June 3, announced his resignation on June 5, becoming the first major challenge for the Shivakumar-led administration. His exit has triggered fresh debate within the Congress over cabinet formation, regional representation and the distribution of key portfolios.
The veteran Congress leader publicly expressed his dissatisfaction after being allotted the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio. Sources in the party indicated that Reddy had expected to be given charge of Bengaluru Development, a department considered crucial for the city’s infrastructure, planning and civic administration.
While announcing his resignation from his Koramangala MLA office, Reddy said he had no personal anger against anyone but felt humiliated by the sequence of events.
“I am resigning because I cannot work against my conscience,” he said, adding that he had not lobbied for a ministerial berth either with D.K. Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah or the Congress high command.
Reddy made a startling claim that D.K. Shivakumar had personally assured him nearly three years ago that he would be entrusted with the Bengaluru Development portfolio once he became Chief Minister.
According to Reddy, Shivakumar and his brother D.K. Suresh had visited his residence during the 2023 government formation phase and discussed the future political roadmap.
“He told me that when he became Chief Minister, he would give me the Bengaluru portfolio. I never asked for it. But when it was ultimately given to someone else, I felt deeply hurt,” Reddy said.
The Bengaluru Development portfolio was eventually allocated to Krishna Byre Gowda, a move that surprised many political observers who had expected Shivakumar either to retain direct control over Bengaluru’s development machinery or hand it to Reddy.
Party insiders suggest the decision may have been influenced by Congress leadership at the national level. Political circles in Bengaluru have been abuzz with speculation that Krishna Byre Gowda’s appointment came with the backing of senior central leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.
Soon after Reddy’s resignation announcement, senior Congress leaders launched damage-control efforts. AICC Secretary Abhishek Dutt and several state leaders rushed to Reddy’s residence to persuade him to reconsider his decision.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar later acknowledged that he had indeed made such a promise to Reddy in the past.
“Yes, it is true. I had told him that I would give him that portfolio. My brother and I had personally discussed it with him. But the high command took a decision and Bengaluru Development was allotted to Krishna Byre Gowda. Ramalinga Reddy is a very senior leader and a close friend. I will meet him personally and try to resolve the issue,” Shivakumar told reporters.
The Chief Minister also emphasized that Reddy’s desire for the Bengaluru portfolio was understandable because most of his political career has been rooted in the city, from his days as a corporator to becoming one of Bengaluru’s most influential Congress leaders.
The controversy did not stop with Ramalinga Reddy. Senior leader K.H. Muniyappa had also reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over his portfolio allocation. However, after discussions with Rahul Gandhi in Bengaluru, Muniyappa publicly stated that he was satisfied and would continue working for the party.
Meanwhile, the cabinet formation process has sparked unrest among supporters of several Congress leaders. Thousands of supporters of MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan staged protests in Bengaluru’s Freedom Park and in multiple districts, demanding his inclusion in the Cabinet. Demonstrations were reported from Hubballi, Haveri, Vijayanagara, Davanagere, Chikkaballapur, Koppal, Chikkamagaluru and Tumakuru.
Several religious leaders and community representatives also joined the protests, describing Zameer Ahmed Khan as a mass leader whose administrative experience should not be ignored.
The Ramalinga Reddy episode has exposed the first signs of internal friction within the newly formed Shivakumar government. While Congress leaders remain confident that the issue will be resolved through dialogue, the resignation has raised questions about balancing regional aspirations, seniority and political expectations within the party.
For now, all eyes are on whether Ramalinga Reddy can be persuaded to withdraw his resignation and whether the Congress high command will intervene to defuse what has become the first major political crisis for the D.K. Shivakumar government.
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