Karnataka minister resigns days after joining DK Shivakumar's cabinet; clarifies he is still in Congress party

Ramalinga 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.

Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy on Friday resigned as Karnataka minister, just two days after taking oath and being inducted into DK Shivakumar's cabinet in the state. 

Reddy also asserted that he "continues to remain in the Congress party" after more than five decades of association.

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.

He said that he would not withdraw his resignation and would send the letter to the party instead of personally handing it over.

“It’s about humiliation. How much should I tolerate? I ask the media, what else should I have done?” he said, expressing his dissatisfaction over the developments.

'I am still in the Congress party': Ramalinga Reddy

"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 further said that he had never lobbied for a ministerial role. "I have never asked anyone to give me a ministerial position," he said.

This follows the allocation of portfolios to newly sworn-in Ministers of the DK Shivakumar-led Karnataka Cabinet late on Thursday.

According to the portfolio distribution notified by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, senior minister and eight-time legislator Ramalinga Reddy was given the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio.

However, as per the reports, Reddy had been seeking for the Bengaluru development portfolio.

The newly inducted ministers in the Karnataka cabinet are 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.

Also Read | DK Shivakumar sworn in as Karnataka CM; G Parmeshwara becomes deputy CM

Earlier on Wednesday, Congress leader DK Shivakumar was sworn in as the 34th Chief Minister of Karnataka at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, ushering in a new phase of leadership in the state. Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara also took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Notably, Shivakumar carried a copy of the Constitution of India while taking the oath of office, highlighting its significance. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by senior Congress leaders, religious figures, and several dignitaries from across the country.

Also Read | Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar’s 15-day action plan, mandates direct ground monitoring across all departments