Overview

• Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna, a close ally of Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, reiterated that sacked minister K.N. Rajanna has initiated talks to join the BJP and even said he was ready for a brain mapping test to back his claim.
• Speaking in Madhugiri, Rajanna denied any plan to join the BJP, said he can win even as an independent, and voiced support for Rahul Gandhi’s voter-roll theft campaign.
• Rajanna’s camp continues to allege a conspiracy behind his ouster, with his son and MLC Rajendra warning of potential defections and directly targeting Shivakumar.
• Rajendra met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru to seek curbs on statements from the Shivakumar camp, underscoring the friction between the party’s rival blocs.
• Supporters are preparing a large rally in Delhi to demand Rajanna’s reinstatement, with reports of train bookings and possible participation by ST seers in a hunger strike.