Upset over Irrigation portfolio, Ramalinga Reddy resigns

Bengaluru, June 5 – The two-day-old D.K. Shivakumar-led Congress Government received an early jolt this morning after senior Minister Ramalinga Reddy, reportedly upset over not being allotted the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority portfolio, submitted his resignation to the Chief Minister.

One of the senior-most members of the Cabinet, Ramalinga Reddy was allotted the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio last evening, a decision he is understood to have been                                         unhappy with.

Reddy had reportedly sought the Greater Bengaluru Development Authority portfolio, which was not assigned to him. He was among the 13 Ministers who took oath on June 3 in the new D.K. Shivakumar-led Government.

Addressing a hurriedly called press meet at his Koramangala office this morning, Reddy announced that he had sent his resignation letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (DKS).

“In my resignation letter, I have thanked the Chief Minister for giving me an opportunity to be part of his Cabinet. However, I cannot function against my conscience and have submitted my resignation from the Council of Ministers. I have sought acceptance of my resignation,” he said, adding that he would continue as an MLA and remain in the Congress party.

Reddy, an eight-time MLA representing the BTM Layout constituency and earlier Jayanagar, had sought the Bengaluru-based portfolio citing his long association with the city. However, he was allotted the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio instead.

Though the Chief Minister and the party High Command reportedly made efforts till the last minute to persuade him, a disappointed Reddy went ahead with his resignation.

Reddy had earlier held the Transport portfolio in the previous Siddaramaiah-led Government and had also served as Home Minister. It is, however, not yet known whether the Chief Minister has accepted his resignation.