The Bengaluru Development portfolio dispute is likely to be heard in Delhi

Bangalore Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. | Photo credit: file photo

Krishna Byre Gowda’s displeasure at being given a truncated Bengaluru development portfolio — minus the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), which is held by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar — appears to have reached the door of the Congress headquarters leadership.

The standoff comes at a crucial time when the monsoon has set in over the state. There are also no elected councilors in Bengaluru as elections are yet to be held to the five corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

Mr Shivakumar will be in Delhi on Wednesday to meet senior party leaders including Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Also in Delhi is Mr. Gowda, who has taken charge of the portfolio so far.

Sources close to Mr. Gowda said the minister had gone to Delhi along with some legislators who are seeking cabinet posts. It is learned that he has informed the Chief Minister as well as the Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala that he will not take charge of the portfolio till the issue is resolved and that he is ready to take any other portfolio.

The Chief Minister is expected to explain to senior leaders on Wednesday why he wishes to retain BDA and BMRDA. Sources close to him said, “BDA and BMRDA are being held by the chief minister as he has been working on projects that fall under both agencies. By the time the new minister is able to understand their intricacies, the deadline would be running out and the projects could be derailed.”

The Chief Minister will attend the Niti Ayog meeting in Delhi on Thursday and has also invited the IAS officers for dinner.

Projects launched when Mr. Shivakumar held the Bengaluru development portfolio include the ambitious tunnel projects, the peripheral bypass and the Bidadi integrated township projects.

Coordination required

Meanwhile, sources close to Mr. Gowda arguing for an integrated portfolio pointed out that effective multi-agency coordination is required for Bengaluru’s development and accountability to agencies becomes a challenge.

“What happens if major problems arise in the Outer Ring Road, which comes under BDA? Since the lakes come under BDA, who can be held responsible if there are floods? Who will be held responsible if projects implemented by BDA are delayed and costs escalate?” asked a source close to him.

Sources said the portfolio was allotted to Mr Gowda after the central leadership intervened. “He fears that without full responsibility he would be held accountable. There will also be multiple centers of power, which would make it difficult to get the job done. He left the decision to central leadership.”

Published – 09 Jun 2026 21:46 IST