Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Karnataka in the near future to attend a gig workers' conference being organised by the state government in coordination with the Labour Department, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Thursday, 27 August. The Chief Minister made the announcement after meeting Gandhi in New Delhi, where the two discussed matters relating to the state, the country, and the Congress party.

Gandhi's Visit and the Gig Workers' Conference

CM Shivakumar confirmed that the Karnataka government has prepared draft legislation aimed at benefiting gig workers and that Gandhi had offered suggestions on the matter. 'He has given suggestions and he will take up the issue at the national level. We will decide,' the Chief Minister said. The date for the conference is yet to be finalised, with Shivakumar noting that discussions on scheduling were still underway.

Education Policy and Cabinet Sub-Committee

On the question of education policy, Shivakumar said the government is actively working on restructuring school education in the state. He disclosed that a Cabinet sub-committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Minister U.T. Khader, comprising four ministers in total. The panel will consult experts and focus on ensuring that education remains affordable and that examinations are conducted transparently. Both Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had reportedly given directions on education policy during a recent Congress Working Committee meeting, which Shivakumar attended along with suggestions from four Chief Ministers.

Minister Nagendra's Resignation and the Tribal Welfare Scam Row

Asked about Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra — who faces calls to resign in connection with an alleged tribal welfare scam — Shivakumar said the Congress party would take a decision after internal discussions. He described Nagendra as a loyal party worker and a four-time MLA who has 'been ready to make sacrifices for the party.' Shivakumar firmly rejected allegations against the minister, stating: 'There is no case against Minister Nagendra. It is an issue without an issue. There is no circumstance to bend to the Opposition.' He pointed out that while ₹84 crore had reportedly been seized in the case, not a single rupee had been traced to the minister, and no signature or order bearing his name had been found. The Chief Minister accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicising the matter, alleging the party was targeting Nagendra because Congress had swept all 17 Scheduled Tribe-reserved seats in the state.

Women's Representation and BJP's Proposed Padayatra

On demands for greater women's representation in the Karnataka Cabinet, Shivakumar acknowledged the issue and said it would 'certainly be discussed,' adding that some time was needed. Regarding the BJP's proposed padayatra, the Chief Minister said the government could not prevent the Opposition from holding a protest, but questioned whether BJP leaders had followed proper legislative procedure. 'If they had given notice and discussed the matter, I could have also spoken about their scams,' he said. This comes amid a broader pattern of Opposition pressure on the Siddaramaiah-led coalition government over multiple governance controversies in recent months.

What Comes Next

The Congress party's decision on Minister Nagendra's future is expected after internal consultations, while the date of Gandhi's Karnataka visit is likely to be confirmed shortly. The gig workers' legislation, if passed, could set a precedent for other Congress-ruled states grappling with the regulation of platform-based labour.