Bengaluru, Feb. 18 -- A remark by a senior state minister involving a reference to high court observations on stray dogs intensified the sensitive leadership debate within the state's ruling Congress party.

Speaking in Mysuru on Monday, social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa, who is reportedly close to chief minister Siddaramaiah, said, "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."

Pressed on who he meant, he declined to elaborate. "I was only referring to what the high court had said. I do not know how you people perceive it," he said.

Mahadevappa also rejected the idea that state leaders could influence decisions on lea...