Over 25 Congress MLAs meet in Bengaluru amid Karnataka CM change buzz

Over 25 Congress MLAs met in Bengaluru to discuss political instability amid CM change speculation, as DK Shivakumar's leadership signals and recent meetings fuel talk of a possible transition in Karnataka.

More than 25 senior legislators of the Congress party gathered for a dinner meeting at a private hotel in Bengaluru on Thursday evening, discussing political instability within the party and growing speculation about a possible change in Karnataka’s chief minister.

The meeting took place even as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was chairing a cabinet meeting at Vidhana Soudha, adding to the political buzz surrounding the gathering.

Sources said the legislators spoke at length about concerns that the party’s image has taken a dent in recent months and warned that internal issues could affect the government’s prospects over the next two years and the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections.

Several leaders reportedly expressed unease over the party’s current political direction and called for corrective steps.

More than 50 legislators had skipped the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting a day earlier, raising eyebrows within the party. Adding to the concern, only about 20 lawmakers later turned up for the Chief Minister’s dinner following the meeting.

The internal discussions have unfolded at a time when speculation over a possible leadership transition in the Karnataka Congress has intensified. Political observers say recent meetings and public appearances by senior leaders have added to the buzz around the party’s future leadership in the state.