Ramalinga Reddy withdraws resignation, continues as Karnataka cabinet

BENGALURU: Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy on Saturday withdrew his resignation and will continue in the state Cabinet after a day of intense political discussions and meetings involving senior party leaders.

The development came after Reddy expressed strong dissatisfaction with the allocation of portfolios in the newly formed state Cabinet. He had been assigned the Major and Medium Irrigation Department, while he was reportedly expecting the Bengaluru Development portfolio, citing his long political experience and close association with Bengaluru constituencies such as Jayanagar and BTM Layout.

Chief minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday said the issue had been resolved and dismissed speculation about differences within the party.

"Ramalinga Reddy is my friend. All problems have been sorted out. Don’t make up stories. All those stories have become stale. The resignation issue is settled," Shivakumar told reporters.

According to sources, Shivakumar met Reddy late on Friday night at a private hotel in Bengaluru's Jayanagar area. Earlier in the evening, the chief minister and his wife, Usha Shivakumar, had dinner with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his Bengaluru residence.

Reddy had announced his resignation on Friday, only hours after the Cabinet portfolios were allocated. The senior Congress leader said he had been assured of the Bengaluru Development portfolio but was instead given charge of the Major and Medium Irrigation Department.

"I am resigning from my post because I cannot work against my conscience," Reddy had said at a press conference.

Expressing his disappointment, he said he had twice been promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio, but it was ultimately assigned to someone else.

"How long can I tolerate this humiliation, and what other options did I have? Twice they called me and promised to give me that portfolio, but in the end it went to someone else. That is why I feel hurt. Therefore, I am resigning today," he had said.

Despite offering his resignation, Reddy made it clear that he would remain in the Congress and continue as an MLA.

The episode marked the first significant political challenge for the Shivakumar-led government, which took office earlier this week. However, the party leadership's intervention appears to have resolved the dispute, allowing Reddy to remain in the Cabinet.