Karnataka minister Krishna Byre Gowda heads to Delhi amid portfolio allocation discontent

Signs of unrest have started surfacing within the Karnataka Congress soon after the allocation of ministerial portfolios, with Minister Krishna Byre Gowda's sudden visit to New Delhi becoming a major talking point in political circles.

Portfolio dissatisfaction

The development comes in the wake of reports that he is unhappy with the portfolio assigned to him in the recent distribution of departments. Gowda has travelled to the national capital to meet senior Congress leaders and discuss his concerns directly with the party's central leadership.

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According to sources, Gowda is seeking the Bengaluru Urban Development portfolio, which is considered one of the most influential departments in the state government. The portfolio includes key agencies such as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), both of which play a crucial role in planning and development activities in and around Bengaluru.

Sources indicate that the minister is dissatisfied with his current assignment and is hoping to secure a change through discussions with the party high command.

Associates join Delhi trip

The Delhi visit has attracted additional attention because Gowda was not travelling alone. He was accompanied by a group of close associates and supporters, a move that has fuelled speculation about the purpose and significance of the visit.

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Among those who travelled with him are MLA Rizwan Arshad and Ravi Bosaraju, the son of Minister Bosaraju. Their presence alongside Gowda has sparked discussions within Karnataka's political circles, with many closely monitoring developments in the national capital.

The group is expected to meet key leaders of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) either on Tuesday (June 9) or Wednesday (June 10). They are likely to present their demands and concerns before the party leadership.

Shivakumar's Delhi schedule

Meanwhile, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is also scheduled to travel to Delhi on Wednesday morning (June 10). He is expected to stay in the capital for two days. The primary purpose of his visit is to attend an important NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for June 11.

Apart from participating in the official programme, Shivakumar is also expected to meet senior AICC leaders. Sources said discussions are likely to focus on the ongoing dissatisfaction over ministerial portfolios and the proposed expansion of the Karnataka cabinet.

(This article was originally published in The Federal Karnataka)