Overview
- Legislators departed from Bengaluru on February 18, routing via Kuala Lumpur to Australia and New Zealand, with return dates indicated around March 1 to March 3.
- Headcounts varied across reports, with tallies shifting from roughly 35 planned to about 21 travelers and claims that only 11 initially flew, reflecting withdrawals and staggered departures.
- Several MLAs cited visa delays and concern over possible displeasure from the Congress high command as reasons for backing out or postponing travel.
- Insider accounts describe the trip as a show of strength by leaders aligned with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to counter leadership claims associated with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
- D.K. Shivakumar said he was not involved or even formally aware of the plans, while minister Priyank Kharge noted that no permission is required for private foreign travel as the state prepares for a March 6 budget.