Ramalinga Reddy Quits Karnataka Cabinet Over Portfolio Row, Alleges CM Shivakumar Broke Promise

Bengaluru, June 2026 : In a major political development that has sent ripples through Karnataka’s newly formed Congress government, Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Friday announced his decision to resign from the state Cabinet, accusing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of reneging on a commitment regarding the allocation of the Bengaluru Urban portfolio.

The resignation move comes barely a day after the distribution of ministerial portfolios and is being viewed as the first significant challenge for Shivakumar since assuming office as Chief Minister.

Addressing the media from his office in Koramangala, Bengaluru, Reddy said he would formally submit his resignation and leave the final decision to the party leadership.

“I will hand over my resignation. Whether it is accepted or not is for the leadership to decide,” he said.

Reddy alleged that he had been repeatedly assured that he would be given charge of the Bengaluru Urban portfolio, but was ultimately assigned the Water Resources Department instead.

Recalling events dating back to 2023, the veteran Congress leader claimed that he had initially been informed that he would oversee Bengaluru Development. However, he was eventually allocated the Transport Department, a move that left him disappointed and led to discussions involving senior party leaders, including then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

According to Reddy, during the latest round of government formation talks, he was persuaded to accept an arrangement under which he would receive the Bengaluru Urban portfolio after two-and-a-half years. He claimed that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and former MP D.K. Suresh had personally assured him that the promise would be honoured.

“Despite repeated assurances, I was not given the portfolio that had been promised. Instead, I was allotted Water Resources,” he said, adding that he could not continue in the Cabinet “against his conscience”.

While announcing his resignation from the ministerial post, Reddy made it clear that he would remain a loyal member of the Congress party and continue serving as an MLA.

The senior leader also reflected on his long political journey, highlighting his association with the Congress spanning more than five decades. He said he entered public life through the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in 1973 and has remained committed to the party ever since.

Reddy noted that he has contested Assembly elections nine times and represented Bengaluru constituencies such as Jayanagar and BTM Layout. He also pointed out that he had served as a minister under several Congress Chief Ministers, including Veerappa Moily, S.M. Krishna, Dharam Singh and Siddaramaiah, without ever insisting on a particular portfolio.

In a dramatic moment, Reddy signed his resignation papers in the presence of party workers at his office. When some supporters urged him to reconsider and informed him that senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad was trying to intervene, Reddy reportedly dismissed the appeals and proceeded with the resignation process.

The episode has triggered fresh political speculation within the ruling Congress and poses an early test for Chief Minister Shivakumar’s leadership as he seeks to maintain unity within the Cabinet.