Sun Mar 01 02:30:58 UTC 2026: ### Karnataka Congress on Edge as CM Aspirations Simmer Ahead of Budget

The Story:
Political tensions are escalating within the Karnataka Congress party ahead of the state’s budget presentation on March 6. A series of events, including a poorly attended foreign tour by MLAs aligned with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a show of strength by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar’s supporters, a public spat between Siddaramaiah and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, and a visit by Robert Vadra, have fueled speculation about a potential change in leadership. The infighting underscores the deep-seated rivalry between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, both vying for the Chief Minister’s post.

Key Points:

  • Only a dozen MLAs, out of a planned 20-22, joined Siddaramaiah’s allied MLAs’ unofficial tour to Australia and New Zealand on February 18.
  • 18 MLAs attended a dinner meeting on February 26 organized by Shivakumar’s supporters, where a proposal to take 40 MLAs to New Delhi as a show of strength was reportedly discussed.
  • Shivakumar downplayed the dinner meeting, stating it was not a show of strength and that MLAs were acting on personal reasons.
  • Siddaramaiah and Kumaraswamy engaged in a heated public exchange over which party is more democratic in choosing a CM, with Siddaramaiah highlighting Congress’s supposed inclusivity and Kumaraswamy accusing Siddaramaiah of sidelining Dalit and OBC leaders.
  • Robert Vadra’s visit to Bengaluru, where he reportedly met with a minister close to Siddaramaiah, has added to the political intrigue.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Karnataka Congress is experiencing significant internal strife, primarily driven by the ambition of D.K. Shivakumar to become Chief Minister.
  • The show of force from both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar’s camps indicates a fragile power balance within the state government.
  • The public spat between Siddaramaiah and Kumaraswamy highlights the complex caste dynamics in Karnataka politics and the ongoing competition for political dominance.
  • The timing of these events, just before the state budget, suggests that the political maneuvering is aimed at influencing policy and resource allocation.

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