Congress legislators to tour Australia, New Zealand from February 16

Amid the ongoing tussle over a possible leadership change in the ruling Congress, a dozen party legislators are set to embark on a two-week tour of Australia and New Zealand beginning February 16.

The delegation, led by Animal Husbandry Minister K. Venkatesh, will travel to the two countries from February 16 to March 3. Sources within the Congress said that the MLAs travelling are largely considered loyalists of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The legislators scheduled to be part of the tour include H.D. Thimmaiah, Hampanagouda Badarli, B. Devendrappa, Yashwanthrayagouda V. Patil, M.B. Nagaraja, J.T. Patil, Allamaprabhu Patil, C. Puttarangashetty, Basanagouda Badal, A.R. Krishnamurthy, Basanagouda Turuvihal, and N.H. Konraddi.

Responding to questions about the foreign visit, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the MLAs and MLCs were travelling at their own expense.

“If they go spending their own money, can we say no?” he asked. When asked whether he was aware of the proposed tour, the Chief Minister replied, “No, I’m not aware of it.”