Ramalinga Reddy Restricts Political Focus Solely to BTM Layout Constituency

On Sunday, senior Congress leader and minister Ramalinga Reddy announced that he will restrict his political activities and ministerial focus strictly to his constituency of BTM Layout in Bengaluru, refusing to take on wider city-level responsibilities. The statement comes amid ongoing political firefighting by Congress leadership, including Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, ahead of the upcoming municipal elections.

Reddy, who is slated to take charge of the major irrigation department, stated that he will not consider the Bengaluru development portfolio even if it is offered to him in the future. He explicitly ruled out any broader engagement in the city's administration.

"I shall limit my work to BTM Layout. I will not go over and beyond it in the city," Reddy said. This decision indicates that Reddy will not involve himself in the upcoming GBA elections to the five corporations, where he has historically held significant influence.

Despite his decision to limit his geographic focus, Reddy expressed confidence in his upcoming ministerial role, stating that he has been offered the irrigation portfolio and will do better work than any other minister.

However, his hands-off approach to the rest of Bengaluru may trigger a crisis for the Congress party. Reddy has traditionally been a key figure in organizing and managing the party's campaigns for city-level elections. His withdrawal from city-wide affairs suggests a halt to cooperation on broader party work in the coming weeks and months.

Sources indicate that Reddy's decision was prompted by the appointment of Krishna Byre Gowda as the Bengaluru development minister. Since Gowda is considered a junior minister compared to Reddy, the arrangement would have forced the veteran leader to approach Gowda to secure funds and administrative assistance for his constituency.

In response to the announcement, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara downplayed the internal friction, describing the portfolio situation as a "closed chapter." Parameshwara stated that all issues have been resolved and that the Chief Minister will decide on allocating the remaining portfolios during the next cabinet reshuffle.