Internal unrest persists within the Karnataka Congress following the transfer of power, with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar currently navigating fresh disputes over ministerial portfolio allocations. While Shivakumar successfully resolved a prior resignation from senior leader Ramalinga Reddy, discontent continues to surface, notably with Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who has delayed assuming charge of the Bengaluru Development department due to dissatisfaction over the exclusion of key agencies like the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), which remain under the Chief Minister's purview. Gowda is reportedly seeking these agencies within his portfolio and has traveled to Delhi to meet with the Congress high command to voice his concerns, even suggesting a potential portfolio change if his demands are not met. This situation echoes Reddy's previous resignation over portfolio allocation, which was eventually withdrawn. Additionally, another senior leader, K.H. Muniyappa, has expressed dissatisfaction with his assigned Food and Civil Supplies portfolio, believing he was promised a more significant role. These ongoing power struggles highlight the challenges the new government faces in balancing seniority, loyalty, and regional interests in its cabinet appointments, with intense lobbying also underway for ministerial berths ahead of an anticipated cabinet expansion.

Internal unrest persists within the Karnataka Congress following the transfer of power, with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar currently navigating fresh disputes over ministerial portfolio allocations. While Shivakumar successfully resolved a prior resignation from senior leader Ramalinga Reddy, discontent continues to surface, notably with Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who has delayed assuming charge of the Bengaluru Development department due to dissatisfaction over the exclusion of key agencies like the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), which remain under the Chief Minister's purview. Gowda is reportedly seeking these agencies within his portfolio and has traveled to Delhi to meet with the Congress high command to voice his concerns, even suggesting a potential portfolio change if his demands are not met. This situation echoes Reddy's previous resignation over portfolio allocation, which was eventually withdrawn. Additionally, another senior leader, K.H. Muniyappa, has expressed dissatisfaction with his assigned Food and Civil Supplies portfolio, believing he was promised a more significant role. These ongoing power struggles highlight the challenges the new government faces in balancing seniority, loyalty, and regional interests in its cabinet appointments, with intense lobbying also underway for ministerial berths ahead of an anticipated cabinet expansion.

Internal unrest persists within the Karnataka Congress following the transfer of power, with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar currently navigating fresh disputes over ministerial portfolio allocations. While Shivakumar successfully resolved a prior resignation from senior leader Ramalinga Reddy, discontent continues to surface, notably with Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who has delayed assuming charge of the Bengaluru Development department due to dissatisfaction over the exclusion of key agencies like the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), which remain under the Chief Minister's purview. Gowda is reportedly seeking these agencies within his portfolio and has traveled to Delhi to meet with the Congress high command to voice his concerns, even suggesting a potential portfolio change if his demands are not met. This situation echoes Reddy's previous resignation over portfolio allocation, which was eventually withdrawn. Additionally, another senior leader, K.H. Muniyappa, has expressed dissatisfaction with his assigned Food and Civil Supplies portfolio, believing he was promised a more significant role. These ongoing power struggles highlight the challenges the new government faces in balancing seniority, loyalty, and regional interests in its cabinet appointments, with intense lobbying also underway for ministerial berths ahead of an anticipated cabinet expansion.

Internal unrest in the Karnataka Congress shows no signs of easing even after the transition of power, with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar now facing fresh turbulence over portfolio allocations.

Just last week, Shivakumar managed to placate senior leader and minister Ramalinga Reddy, securing the withdrawal of his resignation. However, discontent over the distribution of portfolios continues to simmer.

Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, assigned the Bengaluru Development department, has yet to take charge, citing concerns over the scope of his portfolio. Reports suggest that Gowda is unhappy that the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) were excluded from his department. These two areas remain under the chief minister’s control. 

Gowda is reportedly seeking the portfolio in its entirety. According to NDTV, Gowda has travelled to Delhi to meet the Congress high command and air his grievances. Before leaving, he met Shivakumar to explain why he had not assumed office, requesting that BDA, BMRDA, and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) be included in his portfolio.

According to reports, if the chief minister is not ready to give up BDA and BMRDA, Gowda may seek a change in portfolio.

Notably, Reddy had resigned last week after being allotted the Major and Medium Irrigation Department instead of the Bengaluru Development portfolio. He later withdrew his resignation following intervention by the Congress central leadership.

Another senior leader, K.H. Muniyappa, is reportedly dissatisfied with the Food and Civil Supplies portfolio assigned to him. He informed senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, that he expected a more prominent assignment.

Meanwhile, intense lobbying continues ahead of the expected cabinet expansion. Shivanagar MLA Rizwan Arshad, a loyalist of Shivakumar, has reportedly arrived in Delhi to press for his demand for a ministerial berth.

The developments reflect continuing power struggles in the Karnataka Congress as the new government tries to balance seniority, loyalty, and regional considerations in ministerial posts.