Will Karnataka Milk Federation Election Lead Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar Power Tussle To Boil Over?

Last Updated:February 22, 2025, 15:08 IST

Amid the shadowboxing between the leaders, Siddaramaiah is backing incumbent KMF chairman Bheema Naik for another term, while Shivakumar is pushing for his brother and former MP DK Suresh to helm the federation

The intense lobbying has exposed simmering tensions between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar despite their recent attempts to project unity. (PTI)

Are the upcoming elections to the Bengaluru (Bamul) and Kolar (Komul) milk unions—crucial in selecting the next Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) chairman—becoming the latest battleground in the ongoing power struggle between chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar?

The Congress high command has so far kept a tight lid on the matter, urging both leaders to focus on governance. Yet, as the KMF elections heat up — especially the re-election to the chairman post — the shadowboxing for political dominance between Karnataka’s top two Congress leaders has come to the fore.

Despite the brewing contest spilling over to the KMF elections, both leaders are attempting to downplay internal rivalries.

The KMF contest has once again underlined the lingering undercurrents of the power tussle that began when the Congress formed the government in May 2023. Rumours of a rotational chief minister formula—where Siddaramaiah would hand over power to Shivakumar halfway through the term—have refused to die down, despite efforts to present a united front. Shivakumar’s ambitions have remained an open secret, further fuelling the speculation.

Traditionally, the ruling party opts for a consensus to prevent internal clashes over KMF’s top post. This time, however, both camps are locked in a fierce contest.

The intense lobbying has exposed simmering tensions despite their recent attempts to project unity. Both leaders, who were often seen digging their heels on the possible rotation for the CM’s post, have now softened their public stances on leadership differences. They are now backing rival candidates to take control of the politically significant dairy cooperative.

Siddaramaiah is backing incumbent KMF chairman Bheema Naik for another term, while Shivakumar is pushing for his brother and former MP DK Suresh to helm the federation.

Speaking to News18, Naik said his tenure has effectively seen the growth of KMF and that since he was brought in mid-term, he hopes to get a full term. Bheema Naik, who stepped in midway through the previous tenure after BJP’s Balachandra Jarkiholi — from the politically influential Jarkiholi family — was removed when the Congress came to power, is now seeking a full five-year term.

For Shivakumar, gaining control of KMF is strategically crucial ahead of the Zilla and Taluk panchayat elections later this year. JD(S), under former PM Deve Gowda’s elder son HD Revanna, has had a long-standing leadership of the Hassan federation called HAMUL. Revanna had effectively leveraged KMF to consolidate Vokkaliga support—a strategy Shivakumar now seeks to replicate with the help of his former MP brother Suresh who lost a bitter battle in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

Ahead of the crucial budget session of the state assembly, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar seemed to be smoking the peace pipe and putting on a united front to deny the Opposition any opportunity to exploit internal differences and destabilise the party’s strong government in the state.

Siddaramaiah, who once dismissed any talk of a leadership change, has suddenly softened his tone by repeatedly deferring the decision to the Congress high command. “The high command will finally decide. Whatever they decide will be applicable to all," he reiterated.

Amid persistent speculation about a potential leadership change, Siddaramaiah recently avoided directly addressing whether he will complete his full term.

“How many times do I have to say it? The high command will decide everything. Whatever they decide will be applicable to all," he said, visibly irritated by repeated questions. While he had previously ruled out any leadership transition, Siddaramaiah was quick to clarify this time that the chief minister’s chair is “not vacant" to quell al the news buzz surrounding a change of guard.

Shivakumar, too, sought to present a united front, calling Siddaramaiah the “undisputed leader" of the government, a stand that is seen as softer compared to his previous statements of saying “people who want me to be CM won’t be disappointed".

Now, Shivakumar is heard saying: “We are working together for the welfare of Karnataka. There is no need for unnecessary speculation. Siddaramaiah is leading the government ably, and we are all with him."

With local body elections looming, Shivakumar understands that winning them will be significantly tougher without Siddaramaiah at the helm. Addressing party workers, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, urged them to be prepared. “The local body elections can be announced anytime soon. We need to be united and ready," he said.

KMF had also recently seen a controversial move following the sudden overnight transfer of its managing director, MK Jagadish, who was then left without a new posting. While sources within the federation had told News18 that Jagadish’s overnight transfer was because of a few decisions taken by the senior officer without directly consulting KMF chairman Naik — a Congress leader closely associated with Siddaramaiah — it also led to sudden brakes on the launch of the Nandini-branded instant idli and dosa batter project. Following Jagadish’s removal, Naik reportedly directed Nandini to halt the batter launch plans. The batter was then launched 20 days later by KMF.

However, insiders also say that the open challenge that KMF has taken with Amul and also some of the statements during the Tirupati laddoo controversy by the then KMF officials were not appreciated by the higher-ups and unilateral decision making led to his ouster.

BJP leader and former Karnataka minister CT Ravi told News18 that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar “don’t think of anything beyond their personal gain". “They keep saying they will give people guarantees and in turn loot the people. Both the leaders are only thinking of sharing (of power) all the time. They don’t believe in caring for the people of Karnataka. They are not for the people. You can fool some people some of the time, but not all the people all the time."

Control over KMF—representing nearly 25 lakh milk producers—is vital for consolidating rural votes, especially among the Vokkaliga community. The community forms Shivakumar’s core support base that he has been working at consolidating to become the undisputed leader of the group that has 14 per cent voters in the state.

Siddaramaiah is set to present the state budget on March 7 and this session is expected to be a fiery one as some say the Congress high command may take a call on the rotational change for the chief minister’s chair.

Bangalore, India, India

News politics Will Karnataka Milk Federation Election Lead Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar Power Tussle To Boil Over?