Karnataka Congress in turmoil: Ramalinga Reddy's resignation a 'warning bell', says H.K. Patil
Synopsis
Ramalinga Reddy's resignation has cracked open a fault line inside Karnataka Congress — senior leader H.K. Patil, himself left out of the Shivakumar cabinet, has publicly called it a 'massive wake up call', while fellow leaders have raised pointed questions about portfolio allocations. The high command now faces a test of internal management that goes beyond one resignation.
Key Takeaways
Senior Congress leader H.K.
Patil called Ramalinga Reddy's resignation a 'warning bell' for the D.K.
Shivakumar government on 5 June .
Patil posted on X urging Reddy to reconsider 'in the larger interest of the party' and calling the resignation a 'massive wake up call'.
Patil himself was not included in the Shivakumar council of ministers and has said he hopes for a cabinet berth in a second phase.
Former minister K.N.
Rajanna questioned why Eshwar Khandre was not given the Forest Ministry and why G.
Parameshwara did not receive the Home portfolio.
Ministers Eshwar Khandre and Priyank Kharge expressed confidence that Reddy would withdraw his resignation after party talks.
Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka minister H.K. Patil on Friday, 5 June described Ramalinga Reddy's resignation as a 'warning bell' for the D.K. Shivakumar-led government, signalling deepening unrest within the ruling party in the state. Patil, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, said he had personally called Reddy after seeing media reports to understand the situation firsthand.
Patil's Appeal and X Post
Patil confirmed that Reddy had conveyed his grievances during their phone conversation and stressed that party leadership must give the matter immediate attention. He subsequently posted on X: 'I request my friend Sri Ramalinga Reddy again to reconsider his stand in larger interest of party. His resignation is a massive wake up call! I urge the relevant leaders to bestow their serious attention to resolve this matter justly.'
Notably, Patil — one of the senior-most leaders in Karnataka Congress and a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah — was himself not included in the council of ministers that took oath under CM D.K. Shivakumar. He has previously stated he remains hopeful of a cabinet berth in a second phase of expansion.
Portfolio Discontent Surfaces
Former minister K.N. Rajanna, speaking from Madhugiri, sought to downplay the resignation, calling it 'old news' and urging journalists to focus on fresh developments. However, Rajanna himself raised pointed questions about portfolio allocations — asking why Eshwar Khandre had not been given the Forest Ministry he held under the previous Siddaramaiah government, and why G. Parameshwara had been assigned the Revenue portfolio rather than Home, which he had earlier handled.
Rajanna argued that responsibilities are assigned based on timing and circumstances, and that leaders must deliver regardless of which portfolio they receive. When pressed on whether 'the troubleshooter is now facing trouble' — a reference to CM Shivakumar — Rajanna pushed back: 'Which troubleshooter are you referring to? It is the media that created that image.'
Ministers Express Confidence in Resolution
Minister Eshwar Khandre said party leaders would speak directly to Reddy and expressed confidence that the resignation would be withdrawn. Minister Priyank Kharge underscored Reddy's importance to both the party and the state, adding that the party high command would resolve any outstanding issue. Veteran Congress MLA R.V. Deshpande described it as an internal matter that would be settled within the party.
What This Means for the Shivakumar Government
The episode lays bare the tension simmering inside Karnataka Congress since cabinet formation. Reddy's resignation, combined with open questions about portfolio distribution and the exclusion of senior figures like Patil from the ministry, points to a broader management challenge for CM Shivakumar. This comes amid the party's need to project unity ahead of future electoral contests in the state. How the high command handles these grievances in the coming days will be closely watched.
Point of View
Not the disease. The deeper issue is a cabinet formation that has left senior figures — including H.K. Patil, a Siddaramaiah loyalist — on the outside, creating a reservoir of grievance that one phone call cannot drain. The portfolio questions raised publicly by K.N. Rajanna signal that discontent extends well beyond Reddy. For CM Shivakumar, who built his reputation as a crisis manager, managing his own party's internal arithmetic may prove the harder assignment. The high command's response in the next few days will determine whether this remains a controlled burn or spreads.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ramalinga Reddy resign from Karnataka Congress?
Ramalinga Reddy's resignation is linked to dissatisfaction within Karnataka Congress, reportedly over cabinet formation and portfolio allocation. Senior leaders have described it as reflecting broader unrest inside the party, though the specific grievances were not detailed in official statements.
What did H.K. Patil say about Ramalinga Reddy's resignation?
H.K. Patil called the resignation a 'warning bell' for the Shivakumar government and publicly urged Reddy on X to reconsider 'in the larger interest of the party', describing it as a 'massive wake up call'. Patil also said he personally spoke to Reddy by phone after seeing media reports.
Is H.K. Patil part of the Karnataka cabinet?
No. H.K. Patil, one of Karnataka Congress's senior-most leaders and a close associate of CM Siddaramaiah, was not included in the council of ministers that took oath under CM D.K. Shivakumar. He has said he remains hopeful of a cabinet berth in a second phase of expansion.
What portfolio concerns have Congress leaders raised?
Former minister K.N. Rajanna publicly questioned why Eshwar Khandre was not given the Forest Ministry he held under the previous Siddaramaiah government, and why G. Parameshwara received the Revenue portfolio instead of Home, which he had earlier handled.
Will Ramalinga Reddy withdraw his resignation?
Ministers Eshwar Khandre and Priyank Kharge have both expressed confidence that Reddy will withdraw his resignation after party leaders speak to him. The Congress party high command is expected to intervene to resolve the matter.
