The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka launched a fierce assault on the ruling Congress government on 5 June, following the resignation of Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy over a disputed portfolio promise, alleging that the administration is consumed by a 'lust for power' rather than public welfare. The BJP warned that the deepening cabinet crisis could trigger mid-term elections in the state.

Vijayendra's Broadside

BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra alleged that the Congress government is 'mired in corruption, power struggles, and competition for influential posts.' He claimed that the same leaders who once fought over the Chief Minister's post are now locked in fresh battles over cabinet berths and lucrative departments — a pattern he described as emblematic of the party's priorities.

Vijayendra cited Ramalinga Reddy's reported insistence on securing the Bengaluru Development portfolio — and his subsequent resignation when that demand went unmet — as concrete evidence of instability within the ruling coalition. He predicted the administration could collapse in the near term.

Ashoka Targets Congress on Social Justice

Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka trained his attack on what he called the Congress party's hypocrisy on social justice. He alleged that ministers who take oath invoking the ideals of reformers such as Basavanna and Dr B.R. Ambedkar are simultaneously lobbying for powerful, revenue-generating ministries while showing little enthusiasm for portfolios such as Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare — the very departments meant to serve the reformers' vision.

Ashoka also raised the under-representation of women in the Karnataka cabinet as a serious governance concern, arguing that the Congress party's rhetoric on socialism and inclusion does not match its actions.

The Reddy Resignation: What Triggered the Crisis

Ramalinga Reddy announced his resignation from the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday, alleging that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had reneged on a promise to allocate him the Bengaluru Urban portfolio. The announcement came just a day after the cabinet's portfolio allocation, amplifying its political impact.

The development is widely perceived as a significant setback for Shivakumar, who had only recently assumed charge. This comes amid a broader context of intra-party tensions that have simmered since the Congress's return to power — tensions that began with a prolonged contest over the Chief Minister's post between Shivakumar and incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

BJP Demands Focus on Farmers, Threatens Fresh Mandate Call

The BJP urged Chief Minister Shivakumar to set aside internal disputes and prioritise farmers, agricultural workers, and the poor — particularly as the monsoon agricultural season begins and cultivators require timely access to seeds, fertilisers, and government support.

The opposition warned that continued political infighting would erode public trust and called on the government to consider resigning and seeking a fresh mandate from voters. Whether the Congress leadership can contain the cabinet discord before it escalates further will be closely watched in the coming days.