Foreign Tour by Congress Legislators Ignites Political Turmoil in Karnataka
A planned foreign tour by a bloc of Congress legislators aligned with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has injected significant volatility into Karnataka's political landscape, sharply intensifying a long-simmering power struggle with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The development centers on speculation about a leadership transition at the top of the state government.
Details of the Controversial Foreign Trip
Approximately 27 Congress Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) are scheduled to depart for Australia and New Zealand on Tuesday, according to party insiders. While the legislators publicly insist the travel is a routine excursion, within the party it is widely perceived as a tactical maneuver designed to undermine Shivakumar's efforts.
The deputy chief minister has been pushing for a Congress legislature party meeting to formally press for a change in leadership. By encouraging key allies to be abroad, the Siddaramaiah camp appears to be strategically reducing the number of legislators available for such a meeting, thereby weakening Shivakumar's position.
Roots of the Power Struggle and High Command Intervention
The current tension traces back to the Congress party's return to power in Karnataka in 2023. At that time, there was widespread talk of an unwritten power-sharing agreement, which suggested that DK Shivakumar would eventually succeed Siddaramaiah as chief minister. With the state budget session approaching on March 6, anticipation had been building that Shivakumar would make a decisive leadership push before this critical parliamentary period.
In response, the Siddaramaiah camp is said to have actively encouraged select legislators to proceed with the foreign travel plans. This preemptive move was interpreted as an effort to consolidate support and delay any challenge. The situation prompted intervention from the party's national high command, which moved swiftly to rein in potential damage.
Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala reportedly contacted several MLAs, urging them to defer their travel plans. While some legislators complied with this directive, others chose to proceed with the trip as originally scheduled. This split in response has served as a clear signal of camp loyalties within the state Congress unit, highlighting the deepening internal rift.
Broader Implications for Karnataka Governance
The unfolding drama has several critical implications:
- Governance Stability: The public power struggle risks distracting from administrative priorities as the budget session nears.
- Party Unity: The visible division threatens the Congress party's cohesion in one of its few major strongholds.
- Leadership Clarity: The episode underscores the unresolved question of succession, which could affect long-term political strategy.
As the legislators prepare to depart, all eyes are on whether this tactical foreign tour will successfully stall Shivakumar's ambitions or if the deputy chief minister will find alternative ways to rally support. The outcome of this internal contest is poised to shape the trajectory of Karnataka politics in the coming months, with potential repercussions for the state's legislative agenda and the broader balance of power within the Congress party.
