Krishna Byre Gowda is not happy with the bifurcation of Bengaluru development

Krishna Byre Gowda. | Photo credit: File photo

Just when the Congress thought it was quelling discontent over the allocation of ministerial portfolios, minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who was given the Bengaluru development portfolio, expressed reservations over not getting the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) along with the portfolio.

“I don’t know why the Chief Minister (DK Shivakumar) has done this. If there is no complete control over the administration, the system misleads you. The system in Bengaluru is not running honestly as it is supposed to. If we have to run the administration effectively, it is not possible if the administration is not fully under control. We cannot achieve our goal or show results,” said Mr. Gowda (June on Monday private Channel 8). “I have told the chief minister that it will not be good for Bengaluru. We will see what decision he takes. He and the party high command are there, they will decide.”

During the portfolio allocation, Mr. Shivakumar, who earlier held the Bengaluru Development portfolio, allotted it to Mr. Gowda. But the Chief Minister kept BDA and BMRDA to himself.

The Congress has been stoking discontent over portfolio allocation ever since the DK Shivakumar-led cabinet was sworn in on June 3. While senior minister Ramalinga Reddy, who took charge on June 8, has been publicly voicing his displeasure and seeking the Bengaluru development portfolio, he was confident of taking charge of the water resources department. Even KH Muniyappa, who had publicly expressed his displeasure at the allocation of the Food and Civil Supplies department in place of Social Security, was also persuaded to retain the Food and Civil Supplies department.

Acknowledging that the system has not worked this way in the past, Mr Gowda argued: “You cannot have responsibility if responsibility is divided. There will be inconveniences at work. It is useless. It will benefit those in the middle and the able will take advantage. There are many such smart people in Bengaluru.”

Published – 08 Jun 2026 21:21 IST