Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy Quits After 48 Hours Over Portfolio

Senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the Karnataka cabinet just 48 hours after being sworn in, saying he could not serve against his conscience. He had been allocated the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio, while he had been promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio by Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar. Reddy alleged that the promise made three years earlier was broken, leading to his departure.

The resignation has triggered internal debate within the Congress party and put pressure on Shivakumar’s newly formed government. Party senior leaders, including AICC secretary Abhishek Dutt, have contacted Reddy to seek a reversal, while other senior figures, such as K. H. Muniyappa, have expressed satisfaction after discussions with national leaders. Analysts warn the episode could signal deeper fissures in the state’s Congress ranks and may affect upcoming elections and policy priorities in Bengaluru and irrigation projects.