The Karnataka Cabinet is witnessing growing unrest among MLAs over the allocation of ministerial portfolios. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has been attempting to manage the situation, even as internal disagreements continue to surface soon after the formation of the new government.
Although the chief minister managed to resolve a recent crisis involving senior leader Ramalinga Reddy, fresh tensions have now emerged within the cabinet.
Krishna Byre Gowda yet to take charge
Amid the ongoing row, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has still not assumed charge of the Bengaluru Development Department, which was assigned to him four days ago.
His reluctance has added to the political uncertainty surrounding the portfolio, which is considered one of the most important in the state cabinet.
He reportedly travelled to New Delhi late Monday night along with MLA Rizwan Arshad and is expected to meet senior party leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge or K.C. Venugopal.
The minister is said to have expressed that he does not want a partial allocation and is demanding either the complete Bengaluru Development portfolio as earlier structured or, alternatively, the Revenue Department.
Concerns over department structure
Krishna Byre Gowda has reportedly raised objections over the restructuring of the Bengaluru Development Department. He is unhappy that key agencies such as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) have not been included under his charge.
He has questioned the effectiveness of managing Bengaluru’s development responsibilities with only the city corporations under his control and has conveyed these concerns to the party leadership.
Meeting with Chief Minister before Delhi visit
Before departing for Delhi, the minister met Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha to explain his decision not to assume charge.
During the meeting, he is learnt to have demanded that BDA, BMRDA, and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) be brought under the Bengaluru Development portfolio and sought clarity on its structure. He reportedly made it clear that he would take charge only after the matter is resolved.
Background of the portfolio row
The controversy follows an earlier resignation threat by senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy, who was initially allotted the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio instead of Bengaluru Development.The Bengaluru Development portfolio is considered highly influential, as it oversees key urban infrastructure projects such as roads, flyovers, tunnels, lakes, stormwater drains, land development and city expansion.
It works closely with major civic bodies like the BDA and plays a central role in shaping Bengaluru’s rapid urban growth and infrastructure planning.
