DK Suresh sets sights on KMF chair, ignites Congress turf war
Bengaluru: DK Suresh may have engineered a win for Congress-backed candidates in polls to Bangalore Milk Union Ltd (Bamul) board, a move that has strengthened the former Lok Sabha MP's bid to secure the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) chairman post, but rather than be a source of joy for his party, it has reignited a factional feud within.
Supporters of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar are pushing for his brother Suresh to head KMF, while chief minister Siddaramaiah's camp is backing Malur MLA KY Nanje Gowda. The clash is deepening tensions in the party, already strained by the reported unresolved issue of a power-sharing pact. The situation is further complicated by current KMF chairman LBP Bheema Naik's claim that Siddaramaiah had assured him of another term.
KMF governs 16 milk unions in the state and as per its bylaws, chairpersons of unions become directors on its board. A KMF chairman is elected from among them. So far, 15 of the 16 unions have completed elections. The final one — Kolar Milk Union Ltd (Komul) — will vote on June 25. The KMF chairman election will likely be in the first week of July.
Bamul's new board will elect its chairperson on June 10. With 11 of 14 members backed by Congress, Suresh is expected to take over.
BJP has two members on the board and JD(S) has one.
"We have Suresh at the forefront. We need his presence to strengthen KMF," said HS Rajkumar, outgoing Bamul chairman. "Party seniors may have promised somebody in the context of that time, but circumstances have changed now. Suresh will be elected chairman. Nobody can stop him."
Shivakumar appears determined to bring his brother back into the spotlight after his 2024 Lok Sabha defeat to BJP from Bangalore Rural and the KMF post appears ideal.
It is politically significant, since the federation oversees 25 lakh milk producers across Karnataka. It has historically been a powerful platform too. Former PM HD Deve Gowda's son HD Revanna led KMF for 13 years until 2009, using it to strengthen rural and Vokkaliga base of JD(S).
Shivakumar now appears to be eyeing a similar strategy.
"Many want me to take over as KMF chairman," said Suresh. "But that requires due procedure and consensus among various stakeholders, including party seniors.
Let us wait and see."
However, Siddaramaiah loyalists are pushing back. They have reportedly urged the CM not to yield to pressure from Shivakumar's camp. Urban development minister Byrathi Suresh, a Siddaramaiah supporter, recently said the CM will serve a full five-year term, challenging an alleged power-sharing formula.
Meanwhile, Nanje Gowda remains firm on his claim. "Even the deputy CM assured me of the post. I hope he and the CM will not go back on their word. I've served the dairy sector for 38 years and I deserve the post," he said.
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