The two-week winter session of the Karnataka legislature commenced in Belagavi on Monday, setting the stage for significant political confrontations. The session is unfolding against a backdrop of internal discord within the ruling Congress party and a resolute opposition alliance threatening to challenge the government's stability.
Congress Aims for Unity Amid Leadership Tensions
At the heart of the session's political drama is the ongoing tussle within the Congress over the chief ministerial position. Senior party functionaries indicate that the apparent truce between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, is fragile. Supporters of Siddaramaiah are adamant that he should complete a full five-year term, while Shivakumar's camp continues to advocate for a reported rotational agreement that would see the Vokkaliga leader assume the top post.
The Congress high command, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, met in New Delhi over the weekend. While no immediate decision was reached regarding Karnataka, it was decided that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar would be summoned for discussions after the winter sessions of Parliament and the state legislature conclude. Until then, state leaders have been directed to present a united front.
Congress chief whip in the assembly, Ashok Pattan, expressed confidence, stating that the commitment of both the CM and DCM to abide by the high command's decision would ensure smooth functioning during the session. He dismissed the opposition's strategies as a "futile exercise."
Opposition BJP-JD(S) Alliance Prepares for Offensive
The opposition BJP-JD(S) combine has declared its intent to move a no-confidence motion against the Congress government, aiming to capitalize on its perceived internal weaknesses. BJP state president BY Vijayendra announced plans for a protest march to the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday to highlight farmer issues. The final decision on tabling the no-confidence motion will be taken in consultation with alliance partner JD(S) during the BJP's legislature party meeting on Tuesday.
However, not all BJP legislators are convinced about the no-confidence strategy. Many prefer to corner the government on substantive issues like farmer distress, crop losses from recent heavy rains, crises in maize and sugarcane prices, and water shortages in Kalyana Karnataka linked to the Tungabhadra dam sluice gate problem.
Government's Strategy and Legislative Agenda
In response, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called a Congress Legislature Party meeting for Tuesday to finalize the floor strategy. He asserted that the party would counter any no-confidence motion "very aggressively" and use the platform to showcase the government's recent initiatives. These include policies on menstrual leave for women employees, the introduction of e-khatas for properties, and the socio-educational (caste census) survey.
Congress chief whip in the council, Saleem Ahmed, echoed this confident stance, claiming the opposition had no real issues and would "bite the dust" with their motion based on "false allegations" of leadership conflict.
The session began on a somber note, with the assembly and council adjourning after obituary references, including for MLA HY Meti. The political maneuvers in the coming days will test the Congress's cohesion and the opposition's ability to mount an effective challenge in the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
