Congress's Karnataka Cabinet Woes Deepen As Another Minister, KH Muniyappa, Flags 'Seniority' Issue

Last Updated:June 05, 2026, 12:14 IST

Muniyappa also stressed that all leaders should be treated equally within the party and suggested that the current allocation was not balanced.

The discontent over portfolio allocation in Karnataka’s new cabinet appears to be deepening. After Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy resigned over being denied his desired portfolio, another senior Congress leader and minister, KH Muniyappa, has expressed dissatisfaction with the department assigned to him.

Muniyappa, who has been allocated the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs portfolio, said he had sought key departments such as Social Welfare or Agriculture and questioned the manner in which portfolios were distributed.

Speaking to reporters, the eight-time elected leader said seniority had not been given due consideration during the allocation process.

“I have been elected eight times. Seniority has not been maintained in the portfolio allocation."

Muniyappa also stressed that all leaders should be treated equally within the party and suggested that the current allocation was not balanced.

“AICC president holds a motherly position in the party. All children should be treated equally. The portfolio allocation is not proper. Seniority has not been considered. The allocation should have been done in a balanced manner, but that has not happened."

Warning that such decisions could have political consequences, the minister said dissatisfaction among senior leaders could hurt the party’s prospects in the future. “If things are done this way, it will create difficulties for the party in 2028."

Muniyappa said he had already raised the matter with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. “I have told them that everyone should be treated equally."

Despite voicing his concerns, the minister expressed confidence that the party leadership would address the issue and ensure there was no confusion within the organisation. He said he believed the leadership would rectify the matter.

Reddy’s resignation came just two days after he was sworn in as a minister in the newly formed Karnataka cabinet. The senior Congress leader had been assigned the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio, instead of the Bengaluru Development portfolio.

In his resignation letter, Reddy said, “I am resigning from the ministerial post because I am unable to act against my conscience."

After tendering his resignation, Reddy said that his decision was not motivated by the pursuit of power but stemmed from what he said was a failure to honour assurances made to him regarding the Bengaluru Development portfolio.

He also clarified that his resignation was limited to his ministerial post and did not signal a break with the Congress. Reaffirming his loyalty to the party, Reddy stressed that he had “not resigned" from the Congress.

‘My Closest Friend’

Meanwhile, Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar on Friday played down concerns over Ramalinga Reddy’s resignation, expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved through dialogue within the party.

Calling the eight-time MLA one of his “close friends", Shivakumar said there was “no need to worry" and asserted that the Congress leadership would address the issue. He added that the “party will sort out the problem".

Shortly after Reddy stepped down from the ministry, Shivakumar said 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," Shivakumar told reporters.

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