Ramalinga Reddy Restricts Political Focus to BTM Layout

On Sunday, senior Congress leader and minister Ramalinga Reddy announced that he will restrict his political activities and ministerial focus solely to his constituency of BTM Layout in Bengaluru. The declaration signals a significant narrowing of his political domain following recent internal party negotiations and portfolio discussions.

Reddy stated that although he will soon take charge of the major irrigation department, he will limit his work strictly to BTM Layout and will not extend his efforts to the rest of the city. He explicitly noted that he would "not even consider" taking charge of Bengaluru development, even if the portfolio is offered to him by the party in the future.

"I shall limit my work to BTM Layout," Reddy told reporters. "I will not go over and beyond it in the city."

This decision indicates that Reddy will not involve himself in the upcoming GBA elections to the five corporations. His hands-off approach is expected to pose a challenge for the Congress party in the upcoming polls, as he has traditionally maintained an influential presence in Bengaluru's local elections.

According to sources, the decision stems from internal friction after Krishna Byre Gowda, whom sources described as a comparatively "junior" minister, took charge of the Bengaluru development portfolio. This arrangement would have reportedly forced Reddy to approach Gowda to seek funds and assistance for his local areas.

Despite the self-imposed limitations on his geographic focus, Reddy expressed confidence in his upcoming ministerial role. He stated that he has been offered the irrigation portfolio and believes he will do better work in the department than any other minister.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara dismissed concerns over further fallout regarding the portfolios, calling the situation "a closed chapter." Parameshwara stated that Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and other Congress bosses had engaged in firefighting efforts, and that the Chief Minister will decide on allocating the remaining portfolios during an upcoming cabinet reshuffle.