Karnataka Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh, a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has backed out from a proposed foreign tour of MLAs amid a major controversy over its funding and purpose. The minister clarified that neither his department is organising the trip nor is he leading it.
The clarification comes days after India Today first reported that around 25 MLAs, considered loyal to Siddaramaiah, had sought approval for a “study tour” to Australia and New Zealand to learn best practices in animal husbandry.
The proposal sparked a political storm, with the Opposition terming it a taxpayer-funded junket. The Congress and the state government, however, maintained that the legislators would bear the expenses themselves.
The tour also acquired political significance against the backdrop of the ongoing power tussle between the Chief Minister and his deputy, DK Shivakumar.
Earlier reports had suggested that the Animal Husbandry Department would organise the tour, with Minister Venkatesh likely to lead the delegation. However, on Thursday, the minister denied that his department was conducting the tour or that he would head it.
“I don’t know why our department’s name has come up. We are not taking anyone on any tour from our department. I don’t know why statements are being made that they are going under my leadership or our department’s leadership,” he said.
The Congress leader further said that it was Puttrang Shetty who had claimed that Venkatesh would lead the delegation, and when questioned, reportedly said, “I just said it.”
“There is no question of any tour under my leadership. During the Assembly session, some senior MLAs, who have been elected four or five times, discussed among themselves about going on a tour somewhere. I was part of that discussion. They insisted that I join them. I told them, ‘Let’s see, if possible I’ll come.’ But I am not going on any tour now,” he added.
The minister reiterated that MLAs are free to travel on their own and emphasised that the proposed visit has nothing to do with him, his department, or any other leader.
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Published On:
Feb 13, 2026
