Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jun 6: Senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy on Saturday, June 6, withdrew his resignation and will continue in the Karnataka Cabinet after a day of intense political consultations involving senior party leaders.
The development followed Reddy’s strong dissatisfaction over the allocation of portfolios in the newly formed state Cabinet. He had been allotted the Major and Medium Irrigation Department, while he was reportedly expecting the Bengaluru Development portfolio, citing his long political experience and association with constituencies such as Jayanagar and BTM Layout.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday said the matter had been resolved and dismissed speculation of internal differences within the party.
“Ramalinga Reddy is my friend. All problems have been sorted out. Don’t make up stories. All those stories have become stale. The resignation issue is settled,” Shivakumar told reporters.
According to sources, Shivakumar met Reddy late on Friday night at a private hotel in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar area. Earlier in the evening, the chief minister and his wife Usha Shivakumar had dinner with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his Bengaluru residence, amid discussions on the developing situation.
Reddy had announced his resignation on Friday, just hours after Cabinet portfolios were allocated. The senior Congress leader said he had been assured of the Bengaluru Development portfolio but was instead given charge of the Major and Medium Irrigation Department.
“I am resigning from my post because I cannot work against my conscience,” Reddy had said at a press conference.
Expressing his disappointment, he added that he had been promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio on two occasions, but it was eventually allotted to another leader.
“How long can I tolerate this humiliation, and what other options did I have? Twice they called me and promised to give me that portfolio, but in the end it went to someone else. That is why I feel hurt. Therefore, I am resigning today,” he had said.
Despite announcing his resignation, Reddy clarified that he would continue in the Congress and serve as an MLA.
The episode marked the first significant political flashpoint for the Shivakumar-led government, which assumed office earlier this week. However, swift intervention by the party leadership appears to have defused the situation, allowing Reddy to remain in the Cabinet.