DK Shivakumar goes into damage-control mode after 'closest of friend' Ramalinga Reddy's cabinet exit in Karnataka

NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar on Friday reacted to Ramalinga Reddy's resignation as minister, saying there was "nothing to worry" about.Reddy's resignation came days after Siddaramaiah's exit from CM post and Shivakumar's elevation as the state's new chief minister.The transition of power in Karnataka came after intense buzz and discussions within the Congress top brass, with veteran politician Siddaramaiah handing over the top job to his deputy DK Shivakumar.Newly inducted CM Shivakumar, while speaking to reporters, said, "Nothing to worry. He is a great friend. We are the closest friends among the Cabinet. We will sort out the problem."CM DKS said in Kannada, "Ramalinga Reddy is my colleague and our senior leader. He said that he cannot go to the village and work. He said that I should give him some other ministerial post. I will talk to Ramalinga Reddy and make everything right."Earlier in the day, senior Congress leader R Ramalinga Reddy tendered his resignation just two days after taking oath in the new DKS cabinet, voicing strong resentment over his allocated portfolio.Reddy alleged that CM Shivakumar had “done a U-turn” on an assurance made in 2023 regarding the Bengaluru Development portfolio. According to Reddy, he was promised the department with the understanding that it would be allocated to him once Shivakumar took over as chief minister after two and a half years.“I have been humiliated time and again, cannot take it anymore,” Reddy said, expressing frustration over the portfolio allocation issue.At the same time, he ruled out leaving the party. “I will continue to remain a Congress MLA and remain in Congress,” he said, adding that he could not go against his conscience.Reddy also mentioned about his long association with the party, saying he had been with the Congress for 53 years and would continue to remain a loyal member despite stepping down from the ministerial post.Meanwhile, the resignation coincided with Rahul Gandhi's visit to Karnataka.