DK Shivakumar Battles Many Storms

Bengaluru: One minister has resigned, another says he deserves better, a senior leader sulking over being ignored, demand from Muslim leaders for better representation in the Cabinet, and flak over non-representation of women. The three-day old DK Shivakumar government has been caught in an internal political storm.

Two veterans have already raised the banner of revolt against the new chief minister. The first jolt came early on Friday when Minister Ramalinga Reddy sent in his resignation saying he was upset with the allocated portfolio. Soon, a second minister in the new government, KH Muniyappa, voiced his dissatisfaction with the ministry he has been allocated.

Muniyappa, who has been given Food and Civil Supplies portfolio, said that as the “seniormost” leader he deserved a better portfolio. “I have told the leadership that as a seniormost member of the Cabinet, I should get an important portfolio,” says Muniyappa. He further said that he had informed party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, about his expectations.

When specifically asked if he was upset with the portfolio given, Muniyappa said that he should be given an “important portfolio where he can work for people better”.

Earlier on Friday morning, veteran leader Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the Cabinet expressing his displeasure over the allocation of portfolios. Reddy claimed that he was promised Bengaluru Development portfolio by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar but was allocated Irrigation instead.

Expressing his anger over the issue, Reddy declared that he will not accept any position in the Cabinet now and will work only as an MLA.

Reacting to Reddy’s resignation, DK Shivakumar called him “closest of his friends” and said that he would sort out the issues.