Bengaluru, June 8 (IANS) Even as the much sought-after Bengaluru Development portfolio has been allotted to Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, he is reportedly unwilling to assume charge, sources said. According to sources, the minister is unhappy over the exclusion of key agencies such as the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) from the scope of the Bengaluru Development portfolio this time.

Krishna Byre Gowda met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on the issue and held discussions for nearly two hours on Monday.

Reacting to the development, the minister said in Bengaluru that the media was free to report any information and declined to comment further. When asked why he had not taken charge of the ministry even a week after the allocation, he smiled and walked away without responding.

Sources said the minister feels that the Bengaluru Development portfolio has been significantly weakened as it now primarily covers only the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), while the BDA and the BMRDA — previously under its purview — have been excluded.

He is also said to have questioned why these agencies, which were earlier handled under the Bengaluru Development Department, have been removed this time. He has also stated that without these key agencies, it is not possible to ensure progress in the portfolio.

Krishna Byre Gowda has reportedly conveyed to party leaders, including AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and the national leadership, that the portfolio should instead be given to Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who had earlier expressed dissatisfaction and even announced his resignation over the issue.

Sources further said that Krishna Byre Gowda has made it clear that he will not take charge of the portfolio until there is clarity on the matter.

Meanwhile, it may be noted that Minister Ramalinga Reddy has also not yet taken charge of the Water Resources Ministry, despite earlier indicating that he would withdraw his resignation.

Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy last Friday announced his resignation from the state Cabinet, alleging that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had gone back on an assurance regarding the allocation of the Bengaluru Urban portfolio.

In another setback to the newly formed Karnataka government under D.K. Shivakumar, veteran Congress leader and Minister K.H. Muniyappa expressed strong dissatisfaction over the allocation of the Food and Civil Supplies Department and announced that he would not assume charge of the ministry.

Veteran Congress leader and former Karnataka Minister H.K. Patil said that Ramalinga Reddy’s resignation was a warning bell for the Shivakumar government.

Muniyappa, who had publicly expressed dissatisfaction over portfolio-related issues, withdrew his decision not to assume charge of the Food and Civil Supplies Ministry after receiving assurances from Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

Ramalinga Reddy has withdrawn his resignation and will continue as a loyal soldier of the party and as a minister, AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala announced last Saturday. However, he is yet to take charge of the ministry.

–IANS

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