Winter Session of Karnataka legislature begins amid shadow of Siddaramaiah-DKS power tussle; Oppn to raise farmers’ plight

The Belagavi session is expected to see the Opposition question the Congress for allowing the administration of the state to take a backseat amid its internal power struggle besides raising issues like farmers’ protests over sugarcane and maize procurements – a crucial issue in northern Karnataka which is heavily dependent on agriculture.

The session is expected to be a forum for Siddaramaiah to highlight the decisions taken under his initiative to alleviate farmers’ problems and his political agenda focused on social justice for backward and weaker communities in the state. Shivakumar, whose politics is largely Bengaluru-focused, will have lesser prominence.

‘Farmers in distress, Congress has not addressed unemployment’

The BJP’s Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who is the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Legislative Council, said on Monday that the party will corner the Congress government on the issues affecting sugarcane and maize farmers as well as teachers who have been protesting against contract appointments.

“The problems of farmers, teachers, and students has to be addressed. The negligence of farmers and the delay in addressing issues will be raised. We are not looking at the problems of Bengaluru and Mysuru, but we need to address the problems of North Karnataka since the session is being held in Belagavi,” Narayanaswamy said on Monday.

The BJP has threatened to move a no-confidence motion against the Congress government despite lacking numbers in the Legislative Assembly which has 140 Congress legislators compared to the Opposition’s 82.

“The legislature session must discuss the major issues in the state. The farmers are in distress. The state government has been negligent. The Congress has claimed that it will address unemployment but it has not done this. The issues of irrigation in North Karnataka must be discussed,” said BJP state president B Y Vijayendra.

Congress to introduce Bill against hate speech

During the session, the Congress government is expected to highlight its support for backward communities and minorities – its core voter base – by introducing new laws. One controversial legislation slated for introduction in the Belagavi session is a Bill against hate speech. The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025 was approved for tabling in the legislature by the Congress Cabinet on December 4.

The new law proposes to “curb and prevent dissemination, publication or promotion of hate speech and crimes, which cause disharmony, hatred in the society, against the person or group of persons, organisations and provide punishment to such crimes.” The Bill prescribes a jail term of up to 10 years for repeated offences.

The BJP has questioned the Bill, saying it lacks objectivity and is intended to subjectively target its leaders and right-wing activists. “We will oppose the Bill because it does not specify what constitutes hate speech,” BJP leader C T Ravi said.

Bill against social boycott

A Bill titled the Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025, is also set to be introduced in the Winter Session. “It has been observed that unconstitutional practices such as boycotts, imposition of various punishments by extra-judicial bodies such as caste or community panchayats, etc, are still in practice in various communities in the state, resulting in great harassment to individuals or groups in leading their lives with dignity,” says the proposed Bill.

On account of robust numbers in the Assembly and a marginal majority in the Legislative Council, the Congress government is on a strong footing in both houses to be able to push through bills. Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP and JD(S) lack proper cohesion due to internal differences, making it a challenge for them to effectively pin the government on issues.