What Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said as minister, sulking over portfolio, quit

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday sought to play down minister Ramalinga Reddy's resignation, saying the matter would be sorted out as they were "close friends". He added that if the resignation was over a portfolio allocation, "that was his wish."

"Ramalinga Reddy is my colleague. He is a senior leader. The concern he has is that it may not be possible for him to go to villages and carry out work extensively, and he would prefer to be given some other responsibility. That is his wish," he told reporters.

Just two days after Shivakumar was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister, his cabinet faced its first jolt as Reddy resigned from the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio on camera, alleging that he had been promised the coveted Bengaluru Development department on two occasions before the cabinet's formation.

Speaking to reporters shortly after, Shivakumar reiterated that there is nothing to be worried over the development, saying, "I will discuss the matter with him and sort it out. There is nothing to worry about. He is a great friend. We are among the closest friends in the Cabinet. We will sort out the issue."

Earlier, sources told India Today that Reddy was upset after not being given the Bengaluru Development portfolio.

After signing his resignation letter on camera, Reddy told reporters that he had been assured twice that the Bengaluru portfolio would be given to him, but said he was now disappointed and was therefore resigning as a minister. He later said he would continue as an MLA and that he was not upset with either Shivakumar or former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Reddy said Shivakumar had come to his house and told him that once he became Chief Minister, he would give up the ministry and Reddy could take it. He also claimed that when he met Shivakumar a day before the swearing-in ceremony, he was again told that the Bengaluru portfolio would be allotted to him.

He said he would not submit his resignation letter in person, but would instead send it to the Chief Minister's Principal Secretary through a supporter.

The eight-time legislator had made it clear that he was unwilling to accept any ministry other than Bengaluru Development. He was, however, allotted the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio, leading to intense discussion within the Karnataka government.

While Shivakumar has retained the Finance portfolio, he has given up the Bengaluru Development Department, which he had previously held. The department has now been assigned to senior Congress leader Krishna Byre Gowda.

The Bengaluru Development portfolio is regarded as one of the most important and politically significant departments in the Karnataka government, as it deals with planning and infrastructure in the state capital.

Reddy, 72, is the MLA from BTM Layout. In the Siddaramaiah government, he had served as Minister for Transport and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments. The veteran Congress leader has also held the Home portfolio in the past.

Krishna Byre Gowda, 53, who was Revenue Minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet, has now received one of the most sought-after portfolios in the state government. A prominent Vokkaliga leader, he comes from a political family.

His father, C Byre Gowda, was a former Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and had also served as Agriculture Minister. Krishna Byre Gowda currently represents the Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency in Bengaluru.

Reddy's resignation, following his public statement that he had been promised the Bengaluru Development portfolio, has brought the issue of portfolio allocation into focus, with the department ultimately going to Krishna Byre Gowda while Shivakumar continues to hold Finance.