'I Have Been Cheated Twice': Upset Ramalinga Reddy Sends Resignation Over Portfolio Row

Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy has submitted his resignation letter to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, expressing strong dissatisfaction over being allotted the Water Resources portfolio in the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

The development comes a day after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar allocated portfolios to the 13 newly inducted ministers. Reddy had sought the Bengaluru Development portfolio but was instead assigned the Water Resources department.

The senior Congress leader was upset over the decision and maintained that he had been assured of the Bengaluru Development portfolio during any future Cabinet reshuffle. According to reports, Reddy had also raised the issue during a meeting held on Thursday to finalise portfolio allocations.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | Ramalinga Reddy resigns as Karnataka Minister, says, "I am still in the Congress party; I have not resigned from the party. I have been in the Congress party for the past 53 years. I have handled several responsibilities within the party.I have served as a… pic.twitter.com/5SnASNSpJl

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Addressing a press conference, Reddy openly expressed his disappointment and accused the leadership of failing to honour its commitment.

"I entered politics as a student leader in 1973. Veerappa Moily called me and gave me a ticket. I have served as a minister six times. I have not lobbied anyone to give me a similar portfolio. He himself called me twice and said that he would develop Bengaluru, but he did not give it to me now," Reddy said.

The veteran legislator said his decision was driven by frustration over what he viewed as a broken promise.

"I have been cheated twice," he said, alleging that assurances given to him before the formation of the Congress government in 2023 had not been fulfilled.

Reddy further stated that he had met the party leadership a day before the Chief Minister took oath and had not sought a ministerial position. According to him, he was instead assured that he would be entrusted with the Bengaluru Development portfolio.

"I did not ask anyone to make me a minister. They themselves called me and assured me that I would be given the Bengaluru portfolio," he said.

Sources said Reddy had remained firm on his demand for the Bengaluru Development portfolio and was disappointed when it was allotted elsewhere. He is also learnt to have walked out of the meeting held on Thursday after learning about the final portfolio allocation.

The resignation has triggered political discussions within the ruling Congress government, coming immediately after the Cabinet expansion and allocation of portfolios. The party leadership is expected to hold discussions with Reddy in an attempt to resolve the issue and prevent further embarrassment to the government.

Neither Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar nor the Congress high command has officially responded to Reddy's resignation at the time of filing this report.