Updated: Dec 8, 2025, 6:26 AM IST

Karnataka’s legislature convenes in Belagavi for a ten-day winter session amid internal Congress leadership tensions, mounting farmers’ grievances, and the introduction of 21 new bills.

Leadership Tensions

• A visible rift exists between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. Both have publicly assured adherence to the party high command’s guidance.
• Siddaramaiah emphasized readiness for any opposition motions, including no-confidence or adjournment motions.
• Opposition leaders, including BJP state president BY Vijayendra and JD(S) Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, indicated no immediate move to initiate such motions.

Law and Order Scrutiny

• BJP-JD(S) alliance is expected to target the Congress on law enforcement failures, citing incidents at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, such as inmates partying on camera, a terror suspect accessing a mobile phone, and multiple handsets recovered.
• Home Minister G Parameshwara defended the government, stating many incidents occurred under previous BJP administrations and promised detailed explanations on law and order statistics.

Farmers’ Concerns

• Discontent over procurement of maize, paddy, green gram, black gram, and unresolved issues affecting sugarcane farmers is expected to dominate discussions.
• BJP plans a protest outside Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Dec 9, targeting delays in farmer compensation and crop purchase mismanagement.
• Only 5 lakh metric tonnes of a total 54 lakh metric tonnes of crops have reportedly been procured by the state government.

Legislative Agenda: 21 New Bills

• Key bills include:
  • Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill
  • Daily Wage Employees Welfare (Amendment) Bill
  • Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Bill
  • Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Categorisation in Reservation) Bill
  • Karnataka Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) (Amendment) Bill
  • Karnataka Apartment Ownership (Regulation) Bill
• Opposition parties have flagged the hate speech bill as potentially targeting them.

Regional Development & Infrastructure

• Opposition to push for progress on Upper Krishna Project Phase III, Mahadayi dispute, and improvements in Bengaluru infrastructure, including scrutiny of Shivakumar-backed tunnel road project.

Security & Logistics

• 8,000 police personnel deployed for the smooth conduct of the session.
• Prohibitory orders imposed within a 3-km radius until Dec 21.
• A new park and fountain, costing ₹4.5 crore, is scheduled for inauguration by the CM during the session.

The session is shaping up to be a high-stakes affair, balancing internal leadership dynamics, opposition scrutiny, and pressing public issues like farmers’ grievances and regional development.