Bengaluru, Feb 16 (NationPress) As tensions over power-sharing within the Congress government in Karnataka escalate, a collective of party MLAs, primarily aligned with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's faction, is set to embark on an international tour, igniting a new wave of political discussions, according to party insiders.

The timing of this trip is particularly noteworthy, considering Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's recent counsel to state leaders to prioritize unity and collaborative progress amidst the ongoing leadership struggle in Karnataka.

Initially, around 27 Congress MLAs and members of the State Legislative Council were slated to participate in the tour to Australia and New Zealand. However, that number has since trimmed from 35 to roughly 20 state MLAs, with an expected attendance of six to seven MLCs.

Despite the fluctuating numbers, the group plans to depart Bengaluru on the evening of February 17, returning on March 1, as per Congress sources.

This foreign excursion is perceived as a strategy to overshadow comments regarding state leadership made by Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar and his supporters.

After a meeting at Sonia Gandhi's residence in New Delhi, Shivakumar stated that time would reveal all truths.

Supporters of Shivakumar have vocally urged the Congress High Command to address the leadership dilemma in Karnataka.

Among Shivakumar's allies, Karnataka Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain has publicly called for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to step aside, adhering to the principles of socialism, claiming that 80 to 90 of Karnataka's Congress MLAs back Shivakumar as the next Chief Minister.

Another Shivakumar supporter, MLA Ganiga Ravikumar, emphasized that Deputy CM Shivakumar knows the right moment to act, hinting at his potential ascension to Chief Minister.

In light of the growing calls for a leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has initiated pre-budget meetings earlier than usual, right after the special legislative session.

Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son and Karnataka MLC, asserted that his father will complete his full term as Chief Minister, stating that the Congress High Command has dismissed calls for his replacement.

Insiders within Congress reveal that the early budget preparation strategy has not effectively quelled the Shivakumar faction's concerns, prompting Siddaramaiah's group to propose the foreign trip as a signal to the Congress High Command that all is well under his leadership and that state MLAs are content.

This situation has caught the attention of political observers, especially since many of the travelers are associated with Siddaramaiah's faction.

According to sources, the legislators are set to depart for Australia from Bengaluru at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Some Karnataka Congress MLAs have canceled their plans due to visa complications, while others have opted out for various reasons.

However, Shivakumar's faction has reportedly succeeded in reducing the number of state Congress MLAs participating in the foreign tour by conveying that those going abroad at this juncture might be scrutinized by the party high command.

Within Congress circles, it appears that concerns about displeasing the party leadership have influenced some legislators' choices to withdraw from the trip.

A few Karnataka Congress MLAs are expected to finalize their decisions regarding their participation later on Monday.