Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy has taken charge as next Home Minister here on September 1.

The home minister’s post was vacant after Dr. G Parameshwara resigned and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself was handling the ministry. Ramanath Rai was the key contender for the Home portfolio.

H M Revanna has been replaced as Transport minister while MLC R B Thimarpur, a dalit leader has been made the minister for excise. Meanwhile, labour minister Santhosh Lad has been given additional portfolio of skill development.