Congress Legislators Defy Party Warnings, Embark on Overseas Trip Amid Leadership Feud
In a bold move that has escalated internal tensions within the Karnataka Congress, 22 legislators aligned with former chief minister Siddaramaiah departed early Wednesday for a tour of Australia and New Zealand. This development comes despite reported advisories from the party high command urging state functionaries to avoid public disagreements and work towards consensus.
Initial Plans and Last-Minute Dropouts
Originally, 27 Congress legislators, including MLCs Sharangouda Bayyapura and D Thimmaiah, along with 25 MLAs such as Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh, were scheduled to undertake this overseas journey. However, in a twist following alleged intervention from the party leadership, five members opted out at the last minute. The dropouts include MLAs NH Konareddy, Ganesh Prasad, Darshan Dhruvanarayan, Anil Chikkamadu, and Minister Venkatesh.
Konareddy cited pending constituency work in Navalagund as his reason for staying back, stating, "I was supposed to accompany my party MLAs for the trip. But I decided to stay back owing to pending work in my constituency." Similarly, Prasad explained that while he initially saw no political angle to the tour, personal and constituency obligations in Gundlupet led him to withdraw.
Intensifying Power Struggle Between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar
This trip is widely perceived as a strategic countermove against state party president DK Shivakumar, who is reportedly pushing for a Congress Legislature Party meeting by the end of February to address leadership issues. Sources indicate that Shivakumar aims to consolidate his position in the ongoing tussle for the chief minister post, a rivalry that has deepened with Siddaramaiah's faction organizing this overseas excursion.
Adding to the complexity, insiders reveal that another group of MLAs is planning a similar trip, suggesting a coordinated effort to challenge Shivakumar's influence. The high command, led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, has expressed serious concern over these developments. AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Surjewala, has reportedly contacted several MLAs, advising them against proceeding with the plan.
Mixed Reactions from Party Leaders
When questioned about the trip, Shivakumar claimed ignorance, stating, "I came to know about this only through the media. I do not know whether these are personal trips or whether someone is sponsoring them. As party president, I will not interfere in this."
In contrast, Minister Priyank Kharge, son of Mallikarjun Kharge, downplayed the controversy. He argued that legislators have traveled abroad previously and questioned the need for permissions, saying, "They have undertaken a private trip as friends. Why should there be objections? Is there any rule that says legislators should not go on trips overseas? No. Do they require the govt's permission? No." He also denied reports of Shivakumar instructing legislators to cancel their plans, asking, "How did you get this information? As far as I know, no one has called the legislators."
Broader Implications for Congress Unity
This incident highlights the deepening fissures within the Karnataka Congress, as factions maneuver ahead of potential leadership changes. The defiance of high command directives underscores the challenges in maintaining party discipline, while the overseas trip serves as a visible symbol of the internal power struggle. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the party leadership will address these divisions and whether further actions will be taken to reconcile the competing interests of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
