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Mahadevappa sparked row by allegedly likening Congress colleagues to street dogs amid Karnataka leadership speculation, drawing criticism from DK Suresh and Shivaganga Basavaraj.
Former MP DK Suresh, brother of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. (File photo)
A political slugfest broke out after Karnataka Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa allegedly likened party colleagues to “street dogs”, triggering sharp reactions within the Congress and renewed speculation over the reported leadership tussle in the state.
Mahadevappa, considered close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, allegedly made the comment while responding to questions about a possible leadership change in Karnataka amid speculation of differences between the Chief Minister and his deputy DK Shivakumar.
“Where is the discussion on leadership change? High court has said catch the street dogs and cage them. Here, the leadership is strong,” Mahadevappa said in Kannada, to which reporters asked: “How are dogs and leadership related? Do you mean to say you have to shut up those who are talking in public?”
To this, the minister replied, “I didn’t say anything. I don’t know. Leadership is strong here.”
When asked whether MLAs and ministers were waiting for clear direction from the party high command in New Delhi, Mahadevappa added, “High command has to give us instructions and not the other way round. Can a dog’s tail control the dog?”
Party insiders suggested that the minister was referring to those fuelling public dissent as “street dogs” that need to be restrained, and that his remarks were aimed at dismissing the influence of lower-rung leaders on national strategy.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders reacted to his comments, with former MP DK Suresh, brother of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, saying that loyal Congress workers should not be equated with “street dogs.”
“Loyal Congress members are not stray dogs. They have the quality of repaying the debt of gratitude, just like dogs. Whether it is a street dog or a pet dog, it always remains loyal and repays its owner,” he said.
Congress MLA Shivaganga Basavaraj also criticised the minister’s remarks, calling them inappropriate.
“Both the tail and the dog is ours only. If we feel bad about the tail then the dog won’t have any value. It’s only apt if the dog wags its tail. He’s a senior leader and he should not have spoken that way,” Basavaraj said.
He said he was unsure of the context in which the comment was made but added that drawing parallels between MLAs and stray dogs was not right.
“If he’s calling MLAs stray dogs then he’s also a legislator. What does it make him?” Basavaraj asked, adding that senior leaders should guide younger legislators instead of making such remarks.
February 17, 2026, 16:07 IST
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