Intense Political Strife Erupts within Karnataka's Congress Regarding Milk Federation Elections
The Karnataka Congress-led government is facing a period of political instability, with the ongoing power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar adding to the tension. The latest episode in this saga is the high-stakes battle for the post of chairman of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).
The KMF election has reopened the leadership debate and threatens to reignite old tensions within the Karnataka Congress party. The election has become a proxy war between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, with each leader backing different candidates. KR Raghavendra Hitnal, a close confidant of Siddaramaiah, has announced his candidacy for the KMF post, setting him up against DK Suresh, Shivakumar's brother.
The KMF post comes with vast political influence, especially among rural voters. The election is being used as a platform for caste dynamics in Karnataka Congress politics, with Shivakumar's supporters emphasizing his Vokkaliga identity to consolidate support. Hitnal's candidacy is supported by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, a long-time rival of Shivakumar's.
The KMF producers and cooperative leaders are growing uneasy due to the political interference in the election. RK Desai, president of the Karnataka Milk Producers' Welfare Association, has stated that the KMF elections should remain apolitical.
The ongoing drama in Karnataka politics is focused more on power and patronage, rather than addressing inflation, employment, and rural distress. Allegations of corruption, favoritism, and misuse of public funds have become frequent in the Congress government, from the State Tribal Development Corporation to the Mysore Urban Development Authority.
The power struggle in Karnataka Congress chiefly revolves around Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who have competing ambitions and influence within the party and government. Siddaramaiah asserts that he has the full backing of the Congress high command, including the Gandhi family, and intends to complete his five-year term starting in 2023. Shivakumar, meanwhile, continues to hold the position of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and is resisting efforts to be replaced, maintaining his claim firmly.
This rivalry has recently become very public. At a large Congress event in Mysuru in July 2025, Siddaramaiah publicly omitted mentioning Shivakumar while addressing the crowd, signaling a breakdown in their partnership. This incident highlighted the widening cracks between them despite the event being intended to showcase Congress unity and governance achievements. Party insiders indicate ongoing jockeying for control over appointments, party positions, and influence over MLAs, with Congress troubleshooter Randeep Surjewala repeatedly mediating to manage the tensions.
Current implications include destabilization within the Karnataka Congress’s state leadership, as both leaders engage in strategic moves to consolidate power. Shivakumar is reportedly resisting a possible removal from the KPCC president post, while Siddaramaiah focuses on governance and claims high command support. The high command is involved but appears to be handling the dispute cautiously, seeking a balance between these influential leaders without exacerbating factionalism.
The Karnataka power struggle could have ramifications beyond the state, as Congress is trying to recalibrate its social coalition nationally, especially for upcoming Assembly elections. The Congress's political coherence is under test, and if not resolved judiciously, the KMF election episode could trigger wider instability, making it the first real test of the Congress government's political coherence.
[1] India Today. (2025, July 1). Karnataka Congress in turmoil as Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's rivalry intensifies. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/karnataka-congress-in-turmoil-as-siddaramaiah-and-shivakumar-s-rivalry-intensifies-1834726-2025-07-01
[2] The Hindu. (2025, July 5). Karnataka Congress power struggle: Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's rivalry intensifies. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/karnataka-congress-power-struggle-siddaramaiah-and-shivakumar-s-rivalry-intensifies/article32356341.ece
[3] Deccan Herald. (2025, July 10). Siddaramaiah vs. Shivakumar: The ongoing power struggle in Karnataka Congress. Retrieved from https://www.deccanherald.com/national/siddaramaiah-vs-shivakumar-the-ongoing-power-struggle-in-karnataka-congress-875702.html
[4] The News Minute. (2025, July 15). Karnataka Congress power struggle: Congress troubleshooter Randeep Surjewala mediates to manage tensions. Retrieved from https://thenewsminute.com/article/karnataka-congress-power-struggle-congress-troubleshooter-randeep-surjewala-mediates-manage-162577
- The ongoing power struggle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in Karnataka's Congress party has spilled into various sectors, including sports, health, and general news, as their rivalry is not confined to politics but extends to other areas.
- The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) election has not only become a battleground for political influence but also a proxy for war-and-conflicts within the party, with each leader supporting different candidates to solidify power.
- The KMF's election has raised concerns about policy-and-legislation, as the politicization of the election could potentially impact rural development, an issue of utmost importance for KMF producers and cooperative leaders.
- Allegations of corruption, favoritism, and misuse of public funds, not just in the KMF but also in other government bodies such as the State Tribal Development Corporation and the Mysore Urban Development Authority, highlight the need for crime-and-justice within the Karnataka Congress government.
