Karnataka Assembly Budget Session Cut Short, to End on March 26

The Budget session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly will now conclude on March 26, a day earlier than originally scheduled, amid preparations for upcoming by-elections in the state.

The session, which began on March 6, saw Chief Minister Siddaramaiah present the state Budget for the 2026–27 financial year. It was initially planned to run until March 27.

Announcing the revised schedule in the House on Tuesday, Speaker U T Khader said the decision was taken following a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

He informed members that discussions on the Budget and related demands would conclude on March 24. The Chief Minister is scheduled to reply to the debate on March 26, after which the Appropriation Bill will be taken up for discussion and passage. The House will then be adjourned sine die after completing its business that day.

While the Speaker did not officially state the reason for shortening the session, sources indicated that the decision was influenced by the upcoming bypolls, as ministers and legislators are expected to engage in campaign activities.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka and Labour Minister Santosh Lad had also hinted that the session might be cut short due to the elections.

By-elections are scheduled to be held on April 9 in the Bagalkot and Davangere South Assembly constituencies. These polls were necessitated following the deaths of senior Congress leaders H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa.