Even though Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has been assigned the Bengaluru Development portfolio, he is hesitant to take charge, as per sources. The minister is reportedly dissatisfied with the exclusion of key agencies like the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) from the portfolio this time.
Krishna Byre Gowda met with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to discuss this issue, spending nearly two hours in talks on Monday. Expressing his reaction in Bengaluru, the minister mentioned that the media could report freely on the matter but chose not to elaborate further. When questioned about the delay in assuming ministry responsibilities, he simply smiled and left without a response.
Sources indicate that the minister believes the Bengaluru Development portfolio has been considerably weakened, focusing mainly on the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) now that the BDA and BMRDA are no longer under its purview. He has raised concerns about the removal of these agencies, emphasizing that their absence could hinder progress in the portfolio.
Krishna Byre Gowda has reportedly communicated to party leaders, including AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and the national leadership, suggesting that Minister Ramalinga Reddy should be given the portfolio instead. He has made it clear that he will not take charge of the portfolio until there is clarity on the situation.
Meanwhile, Minister Ramalinga Reddy has also refrained from assuming duties in the Water Resources Ministry, despite earlier indications of withdrawing his resignation. Last Friday, he announced his resignation from the state Cabinet, citing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s alleged backtrack on an assurance regarding the Bengaluru Urban portfolio.
Veteran Congress leader and Minister K.H. Muniyappa expressed strong dissatisfaction over the allocation of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, declaring that he would not take charge of the ministry. H.K. Patil, another veteran Congress leader, remarked that Ramalinga Reddy’s resignation served as a warning for the Shivakumar government.
Muniyappa, who had voiced discontent over portfolio-related matters, reversed his decision not to assume the Food and Civil Supplies Ministry after receiving assurances from Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala announced that Ramalinga Reddy had withdrawn his resignation and would continue as a loyal party member and minister, although he has yet to assume ministry responsibilities.
