Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi. The legislative session is expected to be stormy and the opposition is likely to raise a number of key issues that would put the government on the mat. | Photo credit: file photo
Although Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have sent word that they have reached a truce on the leadership issue through two rounds of much-publicized meetings, the 10-day winter session of the state legislature, which begins on December 6 in Belagavi, is being viewed through the lens of this issue, which continues to swirl.
In fact, the timing of the two leaders’ declaration that they would abide by the party high command’s decision on the leadership issue — which came barely a week before the legislature session — suggests they are aware of the potential political fallout of the tussle in the legislative session. However, there is a clear undercurrent of anxiety and uncertainty among their followers.
The BJP and the Janata Dal (S) are looking to exploit this tension in what is expected to be a tumultuous session. Opposition parties blame leadership tussles as the main reason for what they call the “collapse of the administrative machinery”.
Law and order, the issue of farmers
Apart from the leadership tussle, the opposition has plenty of other problems in its arsenal. The recent video incident of Bengaluru’s Parappana Agrahara Central Jail inmates having fun inside went viral, a terror suspect using a mobile phone, the recovery of more than 50 mobile phones from the central jail and police personnel themselves being implicated in various criminal cases, the session has to be addressed by the opposition, which accuses the government of “failure to maintain law and order”.
Farmers’ issues, especially the tricky issues related to procurement of maize and other crops apart from issues related to sugarcane farmers, would also figure in the meeting with the BJP to stage a farmers’ protest outside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha where the meeting is being held.
Hate speech Bill
The Cabinet’s approval to introduce the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill to prevent the spread of hate speech has already ruffled the feathers of the opposition, which says it is being staged against its leaders. The bill is expected to face stiff opposition from the opposition.
As the session is being held in North Karnataka, the opposition is likely to raise issues related to the development of the region, especially those related to irrigation projects such as the third phase of the Upper Krishna and Mahadayi project.
Focus on Bengaluru
As for Bengaluru, the opposition is expected to oppose the controversial tunnel road project spearheaded by Mr. Shivakumar and the poor condition of the roads. A host of other issues are also expected to figure in the session, including man-animal conflicts, SIT probe related to Dharmasthala case and closure of government schools to merge them with Karnataka public schools.
Published – 06 Dec 2025 18:25 IST
