In a significant development, Karnataka minister Ramalinga Reddy resigned from Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar's three-day-old cabinet on Friday, expressing dissatisfaction over the departments assigned to him. The resignation came just a day after the state government announced the distribution of portfolios among ministers.

Reddy, a veteran Congress leader and MLA from BTM Layout, had reportedly sought the Bengaluru Development Department but was instead allocated the Water Resources Department. The Bengaluru Development portfolio is considered one of the most influential departments in the state, overseeing infrastructure and urban planning projects in the capital city.

Disagreement Over Portfolio Allocation

Speaking to reporters, Reddy clarified that his resignation was limited to the ministerial post and did not signal a departure from the Congress party.

The 72-year-old leader stated that he had served under several chief ministers during his long political career and had never sought ministerial positions for personal gain. He emphasized that he would continue to serve as a legislator and remained committed to the party.

According to reports, Reddy was unhappy with the final portfolio allocation and raised the issue during the first cabinet meeting held on Thursday.

Chief Minister Seeks Resolution

Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar sought to downplay the crisis, saying there was no reason for concern and that discussions would be held with Reddy to address his grievances.

Shivakumar explained that Reddy's concern was linked to the nature of the Water Resources Department, which requires extensive travel across the state. The Chief Minister indicated that the senior leader preferred a department that would allow him to focus more on Bengaluru-related issues.

Officials close to the government suggested that efforts were underway to persuade Reddy to withdraw his resignation and remain in the cabinet.

Cabinet Portfolios Announced

The portfolio allocation notification issued by the state government assigned key departments to several senior Congress leaders.

Among the notable appointments, Priyank Kharge was given the Home Department (excluding Intelligence), along with Information Technology and Biotechnology. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara received Revenue and Sports, while Satish Jarkiholi was assigned Public Works.

Chief Minister Shivakumar retained several crucial portfolios, including Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, and Intelligence.

Senior Leaders Included

The cabinet expansion also drew attention because of the inclusion of prominent political figures and family members of senior Congress leaders.

Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was allotted the Urban Development Department. Several other senior ministers received key responsibilities linked to infrastructure, industry, health, and rural development.

The Congress leader's swearing-in marks the completion of a power-sharing agreement with Siddaramaiah, who has now been appointed to the party's highest decision-making body

DK Shivakumar will be sworn in as the 24th Chief Minister of Karnataka this evening. The ceremony is scheduled for 4 pm at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru, bringing to a close weeks of speculation over the leadership transition in the state.

The Congress Legislature Party had elected Shivakumar as its leader on 30 May, two days after Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation. Shivakumar now takes over from Siddaramaiah, who served as Chief Minister from 20 May 2023.

Cabinet list awaited

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Shivakumar said the Congress high command would release the list of ministers for the new cabinet either by 10 am or later in the afternoon today. He clarified that names circulating in various media outlets were not official.

The list will be finalised in Delhi and sent to the Raj Bhavan to complete the formalities ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the new cabinet may include Siddaramaiah along with the son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge. There is also speculation about the appointment of four Deputy Chief Ministers. Around 10 ministers from the current cabinet are expected to be dropped.

Top leaders to attend

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are among the senior party leaders expected to be present at Lok Bhavan. Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states including Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will also attend. The Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand are likely to be there as well.

Just a day before the swearing-in, the party appointed Siddaramaiah as a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest executive body.

 Power-sharing deal completed

The transition follows a formula worked out after the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, when both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar emerged as contenders for the top post. Under the arrangement, each was to serve as Chief Minister for two and a half years.

Siddaramaiah completed his term in November 2025 but remained in office. According to sources in the Karnataka Congress, Shivakumar was originally supposed to take over from December 2025. However, senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi were occupied with election preparations in Kerala, causing the delay.

Siddaramaiah had met Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal in Delhi on 24 May, where he was asked to resign. He requested 48 hours and stepped down on 28 May.

 Shivakumar's profile

The incoming Chief Minister, born in 1962 in Kanakapura near Bengaluru, is the MLA from Kanakapura and belongs to the influential Vokkaliga community. Within the Congress party, he is known as a leader who prevents MLAs from defecting and as a key strategist managing financial and logistical support for major operations.

Shivakumar is among the richest politicians in the country with assets worth over ₹1,413 crore, involved in real estate, mining, and hospitality businesses. His election affidavit lists only a Toyota Qualis car. He also has debts of around ₹263 crore.

There are more than 19 criminal cases registered against him. The ED is investigating him in two money laundering cases. Following IT raids at his residence in 2017, officials reportedly recovered ₹8.5 crore. He was arrested in 2019 in the same case and spent 50 days in Tihar Jail. The CBI is also probing a disproportionate assets case against him.

Mysuru Man Dragged on Car Bonnet Over Loan Dispute

Financial dispute turns violent as man is carried 500 metres on vehicle bonnet in Mysuru; police probe underway.

A financial dispute between two acquaintances took a dangerous turn in Karnataka’s Mysuru city after a man was dragged on the bonnet of a moving car for nearly half a kilometre. The harrowing incident, which occurred following a heated argument over borrowed money, was captured on camera and has since been widely circulated across social media platforms.

The victim, identified as Mahadev, had reportedly gone to recover a pending loan from the accused, Dhananjay. Local police authorities have actively taken up the matter for investigation after footage of the high-risk car chase surfaced online on Thursday.

Confrontation over borrowed money

Initial reports indicate that Mahadev had lent a sum of money to Dhananjay some time ago. Tension began building earlier in the day when Mahadev approached Dhananjay to demand his money back. What started as a verbal altercation quickly escalated into a aggressive confrontation in public view.

According to sources familiar with the matter, as the argument reached a boiling point, Dhananjay attempted to cut the conversation short and flee the spot in his vehicle. Desperate to prevent the borrower from driving away without settling the dues, Mahadev reportedly intercepted the vehicle and threw himself onto the car's bonnet.

High-speed escape attempt

Instead of stepping on the brakes, the driver allegedly pressed the accelerator, forcing Mahadev to cling to the moving vehicle for survival. Onlookers watched in shock as the car sped through a busy stretch of the city with a man precariously holding onto the front frame.

Ground-level cues from the viral footage suggest the car covered a significant distance of approximately 500 metres, navigating through local traffic. The route taken during the frantic escape attempt spanned from the busy Andolana Circle towards the Kuvempunagar Police Station Road before the vehicle finally came to a halt.

Police initiate legal action

The local police came to know about the severity of the road dispute after the video clip began trending on regional media networks. Local authorities confirmed that an official inquiry has been instituted to verify the exact timeline of the events and the financial dealings between the two individuals.

"We have taken note of the video circulating online showing a man being carried on a car bonnet. A thorough probe is underway to ascertain the facts, and necessary legal action will be initiated against the driver for endangering a life," a senior police official stated. Investigators are currently recording statements from eyewitnesses who were present near Andolana Circle during the initial scuffle.

Rising cases of road aggression

The shocking nature of the Mysuru car dragging incident has triggered serious concerns among local residents regarding public safety and rising aggression during personal disputes. The fact that the driver chose to speed up rather than stop the vehicle on a crowded public road has drawn sharp criticism from the community.

With the video now serving as central electronic evidence, police teams are tracking the current location of the vehicle involved in the crime. Further details regarding sections booked against the accused are expected to be released later in the evening once the primary paperwork is completed at the local station.

As the Indian Premier League 2026 kicks off today with the much-anticipated clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, a city auto rickshaw driver has won hearts online with a unique gesture for RCB fans. A handwritten note inside the auto promises free rides to passengers wearing the team jersey.

The image, shared on X by a woman named Mahika Jadhav, shows a note pinned to the back of the driver’s seat. It reads: “Match day RCB vs SRH. Free ride if you are wearing RCB jersey. E sala cup namdu 2.0. RCB forever.”

The post has since gone viral, with users praising the driver’s loyalty and the city’s deep-rooted connection with the franchise.

‘E Sala Cup Namdu’ Spirit Takes Over

The gesture comes on the opening day of the 19th edition of the IPL, with the first match being played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Both teams enter the contest without their star pacers – Josh Hazlewood for RCB and Pat Cummins for SRH – adding intrigue to the opener.

Jadhav, while sharing the image, reflected on the cultural significance of cricket in India. “There’s something about cricket in India that you can’t really explain. It’s been there since childhood, in the background of every home, every conversation, every summer,” she wrote.

“And RCB fans, honestly, the most patient and loyal. Every year it’s ‘e sala cup namde’ with the same belief, same excitement. You have to respect that kind of love for a team,” she added.

Social Media Applauds Driver’s Loyalty

The post has drawn widespread appreciation on social media, with many users tagging the franchise and hailing the driver as the “true spirit of Bengaluru.” The auto driver’s gesture has been widely shared as an example of how deeply IPL fandom is woven into the city’s culture.

While the driver’s identity remains unknown, the image has sparked conversations about the unique ways fans express their support. Several users commented that such gestures set Bengaluru apart as a city that lives and breathes cricket.

IPL 2026 Opener: High Expectations at Chinnaswamy

The opening match between RCB and SRH is expected to be a high-scoring affair, given the batting-friendly conditions at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. With both teams boasting aggressive batting line-ups, fans are anticipating a run-fest to kick off the season.

The absence of Hazlewood and Cummins has prompted discussions around bowling combinations, with both sides likely to rely on their Indian pace and spin options to fill the gap. The match marks the beginning of a two-month-long tournament that draws massive viewership across the country.

A Tradition of Passionate Fandom

Bengaluru’s auto drivers have occasionally made headlines for their creative expressions, from literary quotes to philosophical musings displayed inside vehicles. The latest gesture, however, taps into the city’s well-documented passion for its IPL franchise.

RCB, despite not having won a title since the league’s inception, enjoys one of the most loyal fan bases in the country. The phrase “E Sala Cup Namdu” (This Year the Cup is Ours) has become a rallying cry for supporters year after year.

What’s Next

With the IPL opener underway, the auto driver’s gesture continues to circulate widely on social media. Meanwhile, fans heading to the stadium in RCB jerseys may find themselves beneficiaries of the driver’s offer, as the city comes together to celebrate the start of another cricket season.