Bengaluru, June 5 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader and former Karnataka Minister H.K. Patil said on Friday that Ramalinga Reddy’s resignation was a warning bell for the Shivakumar government.

Referring to reports in the media, he said he had seen the news about Reddy’s resignation and later spoke to him over the phone.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Patil said Ramalinga Reddy is his friend and that he had personally contacted him to understand the situation. He said Reddy had conveyed his views during the conversation and urged that the leadership should take immediate attention to the matter.

Patil later posted on X, “I request my friend Sri Ramalinga Reddy again to reconsider his stand in larger interest of party. His resignation is a massive wake up call ! I urge the relevant leaders to bestow their serious attention to resolve this matter justly.”

H.K. Patil, one of the senior-most leaders and a close associate of Siddaramaiah, has not been chosen for the council of ministers who took oath with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. He has said that he was hopeful of making it to the cabinet in the second phase.

Former Minister K.N. Rajanna, responding to the developments in Madhugiri town, said the allocation of portfolios has been a matter of discussion and added that Ramalinga Reddy’s resignation issue is already “old news”. He said the media should focus on fresh developments.

Rajanna also questioned certain portfolio allocations, asking why Eshwar Khandre had not been given the Forest Ministry that he earlier held during the Siddaramaiah-led government. He further asked why G. Parameshwara had been given the Revenue portfolio instead of Home, which he had handled earlier.

He said opportunities are given based on timing and circumstances and added that whichever responsibility is assigned, leaders must work in the interest of the people and deliver effective administrative performance.

When asked about Ramalinga Reddy’s resignation, Rajanna reiterated that it was old news and advised journalists to ask about any new development.

Responding to a question on whether the “troubleshooter is now facing trouble”, in a reference to CM Shivakumar, Rajanna said, “Which troubleshooter are you referring to? It is the media that created that image.”

Minister Eshwar Khandre said that party leaders would speak to Ramalinga Reddy and expressed confidence that he would withdraw his resignation.

Meanwhile, Minister Priyank Kharge said that Ramalinga Reddy’s services were important for the party and the state. He added that whatever the issue, the party high command would resolve it.

Veteran Congress MLA R.V. Deshpande said that Reddy is a good person and described the matter as an internal issue that would be resolved within the party.

–IANS

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