A senior Karnataka minister's comments comparing leadership debates to stray dogs have triggered backlash within the Congress party. The remarks, made amid ongoing internal discussions, drew criticism from party members and opposition figures alike. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar chose not to engage directly with the statement.
On Monday in Mysuru, Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa, who is close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressed the leadership debate within the Karnataka Congress. He stated, “Where is the discussion on leadership issue? The high court says time and again to catch stray dogs and confine them. Here, the political leadership is strong.” When asked whom he meant, Mahadevappa replied, “I was only referring to what the high court had said. I do not know how you people perceive it.”
He further commented on influencing the party high command, saying, “Who can give direction to the party high command? Can you and me direct it? It’s they who can give us direction and not the other way round. What if the tail wags the dog?”
The next day, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responded to reporters, declining to react: “I am not ready to react to Mahadevappa’s statement. Not just him, but anybody. I had said this before as well. Siddaramaiah and our Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge have also spoken on our leadership issue. There is nothing hidden in this deal. Siddaramaiah himself will answer the people when the time comes.”
Congress MLC DK Suresh, brother of Shivakumar, expressed objection without knowing the full context: “I don’t have the information whom Mahadevappa referred to as dogs. Devout Congress leaders are not stray canines but honest dogs. They never ditch those who favoured them.”
Legislator Shivaganga Basavaraj also criticized the wording: “He’s a senior leader and he should not have spoken that way.”
From the opposition, Leader of Opposition in the legislative council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy remarked, “Congress leaders like dogs very much. Mahadevappa has subtly explained whether the dog is wagging its tail or tail is wagging the dog.”
The incident highlights tensions in the ruling party's internal dynamics, with the minister's reference to high court observations on stray dogs fueling the debate.
