NEW DELHI: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday reacted to Ramalinga Reddy's resignation as minister, asserting that there was "nothing to worry" about the development. Reddy's resignation came just days after Siddaramaiah stepped down from the chief minister's post and Shivakumar was elevated as the new state chief.
The transition of power in Karnataka followed intense discussions within the Congress top brass, with veteran politician Siddaramaiah handing over the top job to his deputy, DK Shivakumar.
Speaking to reporters, newly inducted CM Shivakumar said, "Nothing to worry. He is a great friend. We are the closest friends among the Cabinet. We will sort out the problem." In Kannada, he added, "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, expressing 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 that 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 his long association with the party, stating he had been with the Congress for 53 years and would remain a loyal member despite stepping down from the ministerial post.
Meanwhile, the resignation coincided with Rahul Gandhi's visit to Karnataka.
