In a significant development within hours of the Cabinet portfolio allocation, senior Congress leader and eight-time MLA Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the Karnataka cabinet on Friday (June 5, 2026), expressing strong displeasure over the department assigned to him.
Mr. Reddy, who was allocated the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio late on Thursday (June 4, 2026) night, had reportedly been expecting the Bengaluru Development portfolio.
I was promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio earlier.
Mr. Reddy has previously held key portfolios and served as Transport Minister in the Siddaramaiah government from May 2023 to May 2026.
Supporters of Mr. Reddy staged protests in BTM Layout, his constituency, expressing solidarity with the leader and demanding reconsideration of the portfolio allocation.
In a significant development within hours of the Cabinet portfolio allocation, senior Congress leader and eight-time MLA Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the Karnataka cabinet on Friday (June 5, 2026), expressing strong displeasure over the department assigned to him.
Mr. Reddy, who was allocated the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio late on Thursday (June 4, 2026) night, had reportedly been expecting the Bengaluru Development portfolio. The veteran leader, widely regarded as the “face of the Congress” in Bengaluru, publicly voiced his disappointment shortly after tendering his resignation.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Reddy said that he could not continue in office against his conscience and I cannot tolerate humiliation. “I have resigned from the Cabinet post today. This is a humiliation. I have served as a corporator in Bengaluru and have been elected MLA continuously. I was promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio earlier. How long can I tolerate this humiliation? What other option did I have?” he said.
He, however, clarified that he would continue in the Congress and remain an MLA. “I do not want to blame anyone, but a promise made should have been kept. I have never lobbied for ministerial office or gone to Delhi or elsewhere seeking a position,” he said, adding that he harboured no anger towards former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, or the party high command led by Mallikarjun Kharge.
Mr. Reddy’s resignation is being seen as a major setback to the Congress government led by Mr. Shivakumar, who assumed office on June 3. Mr. Reddy has previously held key portfolios and served as Transport Minister in the Siddaramaiah government from May 2023 to May 2026. Over the decades, he has been part of Cabinets headed by M. Veerappa Moily, S.M. Krishna, N. Dharam Singh, and Mr. Siddaramaiah.
Supporters of Mr. Reddy staged protests in BTM Layout, his constituency, expressing solidarity with the leader and demanding reconsideration of the portfolio allocation.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Shivakumar described Mr. Reddy as a “senior leader and close friend” and indicated that efforts would be made to resolve the issue. “We will sort it out through discussions. His concern is that he may not be able to work in a department that requires extensive travel, and he would prefer a different portfolio. I will speak to him and address the matter,” he said.
Speaking to The Hindu, Congress party sources acknowledged that the resignation could have political ramifications, particularly in Bengaluru where Mr. Reddy commands significant influence. “His exit from the Cabinet is also expected to impact the party’s prospects in upcoming Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections,” sources said while describing the development as a setback to the party’s Bengaluru city strategy.
