Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy resigns from Cabinet over portfolio allocation

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Minister Ramalinga Reddy was allocated Major and Medium Irrigation projects portfolio. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

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 BT