congress in karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is consulting loyalists in Bengaluru following crucial Delhi talks on a potential leadership change. The Congress high command reportedly proposed a national role for Siddaramaiah, with Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar seen as the frontrunner to succeed him. The party aims for a smooth transition to avoid factional disputes.

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met Rahul Gandhi and Kharge before holding discussions with Sonia Gandhi at her 10 Janpath residence. According to party sources, the talks centred on the composition of the new cabinet, Rajya Sabha nominations and the role Siddaramaiah could play after his resignation. The veteran Congress leader is learnt to have conveyed his views on the new power arrangement in Karnataka.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to block Karnataka's Mekedatu dam project, citing a Supreme Court violation. Stalin emphasized safeguarding state rights and farmers' welfare, following Karnataka's deputy chief minister's announcement of submitting the Detailed Project Report soon. This dispute over Cauvery river water is a long-standing issue.

Karnataka's leadership tussle between CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar persists despite high command meetings. Discussions focused on Rajya Sabha and Council elections, with no official confirmation of leadership change talks. Shivakumar's camp reportedly pushes for a power-sharing formula, which Siddaramaiah has not accepted.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah offered a guarded response to leadership change speculation, stating he would speak tomorrow. Reports suggest a national role for him, paving the way for Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. The BJP criticized the Congress over the power struggle, warning of electoral consequences and questioning governance improvements.

Congress picked a new CM midstream to try and blunt Karnataka’s anti-incumbency instincts. But that won’t address deep regional inequalities. Plus, don’t bet on ex-CM being politically passive

Replacing Siddaramaiah with DK Shivakumar as Karnataka CM could challenge Congress's core Ahinda support base. Siddaramaiah's strong connect with minorities, backward classes, and Dalits is crucial for the party's social arithmetic. Shivakumar, while a strong organizer, lacks Siddaramaiah's deep emotional and social reach, potentially alienating key voter segments ahead of the 2028 elections.

Karnataka's Congress government has reversed a BJP-era ban on hijabs in classrooms, now permitting "limited traditional and faith-based symbols" with uniforms. This move, allowing items like headscarves and turbans if they don't disrupt order, has reignited political debate. While the government emphasizes education over religious identity, the BJP criticizes it as appeasement and institutionalizing religion in schools.

The Kerala Congress leadership change has fueled speculation in Karnataka, with Deputy CM D K Shivakumar's supporters pushing for his elevation to the top post. While the party high command has publicly backed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar's camp sees the Kerala development as a hopeful precedent. The approaching three-year mark of the government's term intensifies the debate over leadership transition.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Congress in-charge for the state Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday held a joint press conference from Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters, sharply criticising the Centre over rising prices of essential commodities and alleged rollback of welfare benefits.

Congress has announced Samarth Mallikarjun and Umesh Meti as its candidates for the Davangere South and Bagalkot by-elections, respectively. The party stated it followed the tradition of awarding tickets to family members of late legislators. Shivakumar expressed confidence in retaining both seats.

In a huge setback, the ruling congress in karnataka has lost the BBMP polls to the BJP, which has performed a hat-trick by retaining the 198-member corporation.

Congress believes Karnataka elections may determine the mood for 2014 with its potential to stall the BJP’s run of victories and give a verdict on Narendra Modi’s appeal as a mascot.

The minister said after not fulfilling the promise of transferring Rs 8,500/month to a woman of each family, Congress-governed Karnataka had saddled people with the burden of paying Rs 3/litre more for petrol and diesel. Minister Puri said with this increase, petrol in Karnataka was now Rs 8.2/litre more expensive than BJP-run govts in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

There are three likely results to the Karnataka contest. A BJP win or near-win, a surprise win for Congress and a hung House.

In the first move to rebuild congress in karnataka following its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha polls and to counter the simmering dissent, the high command on Wednesday dissolved the state unit, retaining only president Dinesh Gundurao and working chief Eshwar Khandre.

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah asked the party activists to ensure victory for the Congress party in 14 assembly segments in the twin districts of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, during the next elections.

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said that the Congress party in Karnataka has become a victim of dual leadership.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah closed the year by posting a massive victory for his party in the legislative council polls results on Wednesday, with the Congress winning 12 seats, leaving the BJP far behind with 5, JD(S) and Independents one seat each in the 19 of the total 25 seats from the local authorities constituencies' declared so far.