Ramalinga Reddy resignation: Shivakumar says portfolio call rests with high command
Synopsis
Karnataka CM Shivakumar openly admitted he promised Ramalinga Reddy the Bengaluru Development portfolio — but said the high command overruled him and gave it to Krishna Byre Gowda instead. With Rahul Gandhi now directing the damage control, the episode exposes a fault line in the Karnataka Congress government that goes beyond one minister's grievance.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar admitted on 5 June that he had personally promised Ramalinga Reddy the Bengaluru Development portfolio.
The Congress high command overrode that promise, allocating the portfolio to Krishna Byre Gowda and giving Reddy the Water Resources ministry instead.
Ramalinga Reddy announced his resignation from the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday morning , calling it a matter of 'humiliation'.
Rahul Gandhi , after consulting CM Siddaramaiah , has reportedly directed that Reddy be persuaded to accept the allotted ministry — and if he refuses, his resignation should be accepted.
Shivakumar confirmed he will personally meet Reddy to resolve the standoff.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday, 5 June acknowledged that he had personally promised senior minister Ramalinga Reddy the Bengaluru Development portfolio upon assuming office, but maintained that the final authority over cabinet allocation rests with the Congress party's high command. The admission came hours after Reddy announced his resignation from the state Cabinet, citing what he called a broken assurance.
What Shivakumar Said
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar confirmed the promise he had made to Reddy, saying he had told him he would receive the Bengaluru Development portfolio. He added that the high command ultimately decided to assign Reddy the Water Resources ministry instead, and has since allocated the Bengaluru Development portfolio to Krishna Byre Gowda.
'I had tried my best and also made efforts in this regard. Let us see what has happened. I will go and speak to him,' Shivakumar said. He confirmed he would personally meet Reddy to resolve the standoff.
Why Reddy Resigned
Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced his resignation from the state Cabinet on Friday morning, alleging that Chief Minister Shivakumar had reneged on a commitment regarding the Bengaluru Urban portfolio. Reddy said he would submit his resignation and leave it to the party leadership to decide whether to accept it.
'It's about humiliation. How much should I tolerate? I ask the media, what else should I have done?' Reddy said, expressing deep dissatisfaction over the development.
Shivakumar acknowledged the legitimacy of Reddy's preference, noting that the veteran legislator has built his political career in Bengaluru and wishes to continue working there. 'There is nothing wrong with his demand. He needs to be explained,' he said.
High Command Steps In
According to sources, Congress Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, after consulting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has directed that Reddy be persuaded to accept charge of the allotted ministry. If Reddy still refuses, Gandhi has reportedly asked the Chief Minister to accept the resignation.
This is not the first time the Shivakumar camp has had to manage Reddy's portfolio expectations. The Chief Minister recalled that during the 2023 allocation of the Transport Department, he and his brother D.K. Suresh had persuaded Reddy to accept responsibility. He also noted that the Muzrai portfolio, previously held by Sudhakar, was subsequently reassigned to Reddy.
What Happens Next
Shivakumar confirmed that Reddy had been away but is now returning, and that a personal meeting between the two is imminent. The crisis lays bare the recurring tension within the Karnataka Congress government over cabinet berths — particularly those tied to Bengaluru, the state's political and economic nerve centre. How the high command navigates this episode will signal its appetite for managing dissent ahead of a politically sensitive period for the party in the state.
Point of View
A structural weakness that opposition forces will exploit. Reddy's grievance is not merely personal; it reflects a broader pattern in the Karnataka Congress government where portfolio decisions are brokered at the top, leaving state-level compacts unenforceable. The high command's reported instruction — persuade him, and if not, accept the resignation — is a pragmatic but blunt response that does little to address the underlying trust deficit. Shivakumar's credibility with his own ministerial colleagues is now squarely on the line.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ramalinga Reddy resign from the Karnataka Cabinet?
Ramalinga Reddy resigned on 5 June, alleging that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had gone back on a personal assurance that he would be given the Bengaluru Development portfolio. Reddy, who has built his political career in Bengaluru, said the episode amounted to humiliation and left the decision on his resignation to the party leadership.
What did CM Shivakumar say about the portfolio promise?
Shivakumar publicly acknowledged that he had promised Reddy the Bengaluru Development portfolio but said the final call rested with the Congress high command, which allocated that portfolio to Krishna Byre Gowda. He said he had tried his best and would personally meet Reddy to resolve the matter.
Who has the Bengaluru Development portfolio been given to?
The Bengaluru Development portfolio has been allocated to Krishna Byre Gowda, according to Shivakumar. Ramalinga Reddy was instead assigned the Water Resources ministry, which he has rejected as insufficient.
What has the Congress high command directed?
According to sources, Rahul Gandhi, after consulting CM Siddaramaiah, has directed that Reddy be persuaded to take charge of the Water Resources ministry. If Reddy still refuses, Gandhi has reportedly asked the Chief Minister to accept his resignation.
Has Reddy's resignation been formally accepted?
As of the latest reports, Reddy's resignation has not been formally accepted. Shivakumar has said he will personally meet Reddy to persuade him to withdraw it, in line with the high command's directive.
