Surjewala meets Karnataka Congress MLAs amid 'disgruntlement', leadership change buzz
Bengaluru (PTI): AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, began meetings with party legislators here amid signs of "disgruntlement" and speculation about a leadership change within the ruling party.
According to party sources, as part of his three-day visit, Surjewala is likely to hold mostly one-on-one meetings with legislators. On Monday, he was scheduled to meet MLAs from the Chikkaballapura and Kolar regions.
He is expected to hear their grievances and collect feedback on the government’s functioning, sources said.
The meetings have gained significance as some MLAs have recently expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s performance.
They also come at a time when speculation over a leadership change has resurfaced following Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna’s remarks hinting at "revolutionary" political developments after September.
There is also talk within party circles of a possible cabinet reshuffle and a change of state Congress president, a post currently held by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge said Surjewala has come. "Based on his report and what feedback he gathers, we will decide what steps to take".
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking to reporters in Mysuru, said, "He is the AICC General Secretary in-charge. He will seek the opinion of MLAs, hear their concerns, and assess what needs to be done to strengthen the organisation. He will do his job."
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said Surjewala regularly visits Karnataka to review party matters, not just government affairs.
"He will also review political aspects, party programmes, and if there are disturbances within the party or government, he will guide us as the in-charge General Secretary," he said.
Surjewala may also address concerns raised by certain MLAs in recent weeks, he added.
Aland MLA B R Patil had alleged bribery in public housing allotments under the Housing Department, while Kagwad MLA Raju Kage had hinted at resigning, citing delays in developmental works and fund release, and alleging that the administration had "completely collapsed."
Their remarks have embarrassed the ruling Congress, with opposition BJP and JD(S) accusing the government of "rampant corruption" and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Siddaramaiah met both Patil and Kage last week after returning from New Delhi and reportedly assured them that their concerns would be addressed. He is also said to have urged them "not to speak publicly against the government".
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting for a cabinet reshuffle as the Congress government completes two years in office.
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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
