In Bengaluru, the power struggle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka has intensified after supporters of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar held a strategy meeting led by MLA H C Balakrishna to push for his elevation as chief minister. Around 40 MLAs reportedly attended and urged the party high command to end leadership uncertainty, saying the issue is hurting them politically. The move comes amid ongoing speculation about a power-sharing pact with CM Siddaramaiah—which Shivakumar has hinted existed but Siddaramaiah denies—just ahead of the state budget session.