What made CM choose Ramalinga Reddy over Ramanath Rai for Home?

Forest minister Ramanath Rai had almost become the Home Minister - at least that's what the media reports said - in the last two months. Especially, after the Bantwal clashes, the possibilities of Ramanath Rai's candidature was more evident for the home minister's post. But on Saturday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dashed off hopes of Rai by having Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy as the home minister.

But what made Siddaramaiah change his mind on Rai when even Rai was backed by former home minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dr G Parameshwar?

It is reported that the Intelligence inputs were not in favour of Rai, especially after the Bantwal clashes. If Rai were made the home minister, it would reportedly disturb law and order, especially in the coastal district. It can be recalled here that during Bantwal clashes Opposition party BJP was livid on Rai alleging that Rai was inciting clashes in the region.

The Congress leaders from the coastal region were of the opinion that Rai should be made the home minister as a fitting reply to the Sangh Parivar organisations that were trying to gain a strong foothold over there. This was also seconded by various Congress leaders, for Rai who was also the Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister could handle the law and order situation well, if he was made the home minister.

But with Intelligence inputs being varied of Rai as the home minister - after his reported outburst against a police officer in Mangaluru - Siddaramaiah zeroed in on Ramalinga Reddy.

Reddy a four-time MLA from BTM Layout will have challenging tasks ahead of the election year. Ramalinga Reddy is the third Home minister in the five years of the Siddaramaiah government.  

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