Trip to keep Siddha camp united? MLAs' Australia–New Zealand tour raises brows

A proposed Australia–New Zealand tour by Congress legislators has stirred political debate in Karnataka, with conflicting claims over its purpose, funding and political intent surfacing amid an ongoing power tussle within the ruling party.

Amid speculation, MLA C Puttarangashetty on Wednesday confirmed that 22 legislators will travel to Australia and New Zealand next week. He said the trip is being organised by the state’s Animal Husbandry Department to study international livestock and sericulture practices, and that Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh will lead the delegation.

“From the Animal Husbandry department, we are travelling to Australia and New Zealand, to gather more information about the animal husbandry there. About 20–22 of us are going. While few are coming with family, some of us are going solo,” Puttarangashetty said.

Speaking to reporters, he clarified that the visit is being undertaken by the department, from the government. “We will be travelling from February 18 to March 3. We will be back before the state budget. The Animal Husbandry minister is coordinating with us. Legislators from various regions of the state will be coming. Minister Venkatesh will also be coming with us,” he added.

The MLAs scheduled to travel include K Venkatesh (Team Leader), Hampagouda Badarli, B Devendrappa, Yashwantharayagouda V Patil, BM Nagaraj, JT Patil, Allamaprabhu Patil, C Puttaranga Shetty, Basanagouda Daddal, AR Krishna Murthy, Basangouda Turuvihalla, Anil Chikkamadhu, Raghumurthy and Shivakumar (MLC).

However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly said earlier in the day that he was not aware of the visit and suggested that the MLAs may be funding the excursion personally. He maintained that the government has no connection with the trip or its expenses.

Sources indicate that some MLAs considered close to the Chief Minister are planning the foreign trip. Initially, legislators reportedly sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Chief Minister, stating that the visit was to study farm and dairy productivity models in Australia. Later, the trip was said to have been revised as a private visit, with MLAs reportedly bearing their own expenses.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that a minister close to the Chief Minister may be facilitating the visit, though this has not been officially verified. Thomas Cook Travel Agency has reportedly arranged the travel package for the Australia–New Zealand tour.

Earlier in the day, there were reports that the tour was being planned amid the power tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over the top post. The timing of the trip has triggered political speculation, especially with discussions about possible power-sharing arrangements expected after the Budget session. Shivakumar’s name is being discussed in political circles regarding potential leadership changes.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and former MP DK Suresh have distanced themselves from the visit. DK Suresh publicly stated that Shivakumar has no role in organising the tour and suggested that someone may be privately sponsoring it.

Observers view the trip as a possible effort to keep loyalists together and signal political strength. Critics have raised questions about whether the selection of MLAs reflects an attempt to consolidate support within a particular camp. Some also see the reported NOC from the Chief Minister’s office as reflecting internal camp politics shifting from “resort politics” to “foreign tour politics.”

It remains unclear whether the visit is a government-backed study tour, a privately funded foreign trip, or a political message at a time when internal equations within the ruling Congress government appear under scrutiny.

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With PTI inputs