Amid leadership buzz, Karnataka Congress MLAs head overseas, BJP slams move

Bengaluru: More than 20 Congress legislators, including MLAs and MLCs from Karnataka, have left for a foreign tour, triggering fresh political speculation amid ongoing discussions around leadership within the state Congress. The leaders, however, maintained that the trip is purely personal and has no political agenda.

According to party sources, the legislators departed from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru during the early hours of Wednesday and are scheduled to travel to Australia and New Zealand, with their return expected around March 1.

Speaking to the media before departure, several Congress leaders clarified that the travel was planned earlier and is not linked to internal party developments.

MLA H.D. Thammaiah said the trip had been planned during the winter session itself and that those interested chose to join voluntarily.

“This is not new; we go on a foreign trip every year. This time it has become news. We take a foreign tour with our families once a year. I have transferred the money to the tours and travels company from my account,” he said.

Former minister and MLA Puttarangashetty also dismissed political speculation, stating:

“We have not informed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about the foreign trip. Do we need to ask Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar? It is our personal tour. We are not going through any government department.”

Congress MLC Vasanth Kumar said the tour should not be interpreted politically, adding that like-minded legislators simply decided to travel together.

Senior MLA Allamaprabhu Patil echoed similar views, saying he was travelling with his family and considered it a personal matter.

Sources said initially around 35 legislators were expected to join the trip, but the number later came down to around 21, with only a smaller group finally departing on the flight. The legislators reportedly travelled first to Kuala Lumpur before proceeding to Australia.

Political backdrop adds to speculation

The foreign tour comes at a time when the Karnataka Congress leadership issue has been widely discussed after recent comments by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who indicated that decisions regarding leadership would be communicated at the right time.

Speculation grew further as many of the travelling legislators are believed to be close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, though leaders have repeatedly denied any factional angle.

Shivakumar later said he was not aware of the travel plans and that the visit appeared to be in a personal capacity.

Opposition reacts

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reacted strongly to the foreign trip, accusing Congress leaders of neglecting public issues while travelling abroad.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the move on social media, alleging that the tour reflected "misplaced priorities” at a time when the state is facing governance challenges such as rising prices and infrastructure issues.

"While Karnataka fights potholes & high prices, 22 Congress MLAs from Siddharamiah camp jet off to Australia-NZ to 'study'.Because nothing fixes governance like a mid-power-tussle holiday Down Under,” he wrote.