Bengaluru, June 5: Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Friday resigned from the state Cabinet just two days after taking oath as minister, citing displeasure over the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio allotted to him. However, he asserted that he will "continues to remain in the Congress party."
Addressing a press conference, Reddy clarified that his decision was limited to his Ministerial role and not his party membership, asserting that he has "not resigned" from the party.
"I am still in the Congress party; I have not resigned from the party. I have been in the Congress party for the past 53 years. I have handled several responsibilities within the party," Reddy said while showing his resignation letter to the media.
He further recalled his earlier ministerial stints under previous Congress governments, stating, "I have served as a Minister in the Cabinets of former Chief Ministers M Veerappa Moily and SM Krishna, among others."
Reddy also added that he had never lobbied for a ministerial berth. "I have never asked anyone to give me a ministerial position," he said.
This comes after portfolios were allocated for the newly sworn-in Ministers of the DK Shivakumar-led Karnataka Cabinet late on Thursday.
On Thursday night, Chief Minister Shivakumar allocated portfolios to his 13 Ministers. Sources said Reddy had been adamant on the Bengaluru Development portfolio, which he was denied. Reddy is learnt to have walked out of the meeting held on Thursday to decide portfolios.
According to the portfolio allocation notified by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, senior Minister and eight-time legislator Ramalinga Reddy was given the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio.
The newly inducted Ministers include KH Muniyappa, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, UT Khader, Eshwara Khandre, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Byrathi Suresh, and Sharan Prakash Patil.
On Wednesday, Congress leader DK Shivakumar took oath as the 34th Chief Minister of Karnataka at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, marking a significant leadership transition in the State. Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara was also sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister.
Shivakumar took the oath of office while carrying a copy of the Constitution of India, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
