Bengaluru: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday acknowledged that he had earlier assured senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy that he would be allot him the Bengaluru Development portfolio, but said the party leadership had ultimately decided to assign the department to Krishna Byre Gowda.“It is true that I had earlier told Ramalinga Reddy that I would give him the Bengaluru Urban Development portfolio. Ramalinga Reddy is one of our most senior leaders. When the Transport portfolio was allotted to him, my brother and I had persuaded him to accept it,” Shivakumar told reporters.He said that at the time, the Muzrai portfolio, which was earlier held by Minister Sudhakar, had also been assigned to Reddy.“The party seniors have now decided to give the Bengaluru Urban Development portfolio to Krishna Byre Gowda. I made my effort, but the party has taken this decision,” Shivakumar said.Noting Reddy’s long association with civic administration, he said, “Ramalinga Reddy was born and brought up in an urban area and began his political career as a municipal councillor. I will speak to him about this.”Asked whether Reddy’s existing portfolio could be changed, Shivakumar said decisions taken by the party leadership could not be altered unilaterally.“Whatever decision is made, it cannot be changed by setting aside decisions taken by the party seniors,” he said.On reports of Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa expressing dissatisfaction over his portfolio allocation and subsequently discussing the matter with Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar said the party leadership had convinced him to accept the assignment.“Rahul Gandhi spoke with Muniyappa, and he has said he will accept whatever responsibility the party gives him and work for the party,” the chief minister said.