Did Karnataka Minister Call Congress MLAs 'Street Dogs'? His Remark Sparks Fresh Leadership Row

Last Updated:February 16, 2026, 19:15 IST

While responding to questions on leadership change in Karnataka, social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa said "high court has said catch the street dogs and cage them"

A Karnataka minister’s “street dog" analogy for his fellow MLAs has triggered fresh speculation around the reported leadership tussle in the Congress government.

Social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa allegedly called his colleagues in the Congress “street dogs" when he was asked about leadership change in Karnataka, in reference to an internal power tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar.

Mahadevappa, known to be close to Siddaramaiah, apparently responded to the media saying “high court has said catch the street dogs and cage them".

“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."

Asked if the MLAs and ministers are waiting for “clear direction" from the high command in New Delhi, he said: “High command has to give us instructions and not the other way round. Can a dog’s tail control the dog?"

While Mahadevappa’s provocative remarks have set off another controversy and drawn sharp rebukes, party insiders said the minister has compared those fuelling public dissent to “street dogs" that need to be caged. With his remarks, they said, he also dismissed the influence of leaders in the lower rungs on national strategy, rhetorically asking if a dog’s tail could ever control the dog.

These comments, however, highlight a deepening chasm within the Karnataka Congress as various factions continue to lobby for a leadership transition despite official denials. Even a ‘gag’ order from Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge has not stopped MLAs taking sides and voicing support for their leaders.

Mahadevappa later attempted to distance himself from the specific implications of his words by insisting that the current leadership remains strong and unchallenged. But his exchange with the media has laid bare a growing frustration among loyalists, who view the persistent speculation as a distraction from governance.

Although no one in the party has come forward to respond to his comments, they underscore a significant crisis for the top leadership of the Congress that has, so far, been unable to decisively end the speculation around leadership change in the state.

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