The upcoming election for the President of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), set for February, is shaping up to be a high-stakes political battle that will further deepen the factional divide within the Congress party. With the contest expected to be a direct clash between the factions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, the KMF leadership race is now seen as a proxy battle for control within the party, adding another layer to the state’s already complex political dynamics.
The current KMF president, Bhima Naik, who has held the position for several years, is looking to retain his post. Naik, a former MLA and close ally of Siddaramaiah, is reportedly keen on holding on to his influential role at the head of the state’s largest dairy cooperative. However, there is stiff competition brewing within Siddaramaiah’s camp itself, with Malur MLA K.Y. Nanjegowda, who currently heads the Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (KOMUL), also eyeing the president’s chair.
On the other side of the political divide, D.K. Shivakumar, who has often been at odds with Siddaramaiah over control of party affairs, is rallying behind his brother, former MP D.K. Suresh, for the KMF leadership role. Suresh, who has previously represented the Bangalore Rural constituency, has expressed interest in taking over the KMF presidency. This has sparked a contest that is much more than just an election for the leader of the state’s dairy cooperative — it has become a key battleground in the ongoing power struggle between the two Congress leaders.
For D.K. Suresh, securing the KMF presidency would be a significant political move. Since his defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Suresh has been exploring other avenues, including potential positions in the Karnataka Legislative Council or contesting the Channapatna Assembly seat in the next elections. However, the KMF role presents a unique opportunity to build a strong political base among farmers in the Old Mysore region, which could be crucial for his future political ambitions.
The KMF presidency would provide Suresh with direct access to Karnataka’s milk cooperative ecosystem, a vital sector that touches the lives of millions of farmers across the state. By leading KMF, Suresh would not only enhance his grassroots presence but also strengthen his influence within the Congress party by aligning himself with the crucial farming community. The position would allow him to consolidate support, particularly in rural areas, which could be an essential factor in future elections, especially in regions like Channapatna, which is part of the Old Mysore belt.
The battle for the KMF presidency is indicative of the deep-rooted factionalism within the Karnataka Congress, where both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have been vying for dominance since the formation of the state government. While the two leaders have worked together in the past, their rivalry has been well-documented, with each seeking to assert control over key positions within the party and government.
Bhima Naik’s tenure as KMF president has largely been free of competition, with his appointment going unchallenged. However, the rising stakes within the Congress party and the intensifying rivalry between the two factions have brought the KMF leadership to the forefront of political discussions. Siddaramaiah, who has enjoyed significant control over the party’s operations, now faces a challenge from within his own camp, as Nanjegowda, another loyalist, eyes the KMF leadership role.
The election for the KMF president will be decided by a vote of 20 electors, comprising representatives from 16 milk unions across the state, officials from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), the Cooperative Department Registrar, KMF Managing Director, and veterinary department officials. The electoral process itself is likely to be closely contested, with both factions working to gain support from the key players within the dairy industry.
As the election date approaches, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar’s camps will be mobilising their respective networks to ensure they secure enough votes from the influential stakeholders in the cooperative sector. The outcome of the election will likely have a significant bearing on the balance of power within the Congress party, especially as the 2024 state elections loom.
While the KMF election is officially about leadership in a milk cooperative, its political ramifications are far-reaching. The contest will likely affect the dynamics of Congress’s internal power struggle, as the control of a high-profile, influential body like KMF will send a strong message about who holds sway within the party. The result could also shape the direction of Karnataka’s political future, especially as the Congress party gears up for upcoming state and national elections.
The outcome of the KMF election may also have implications for the upcoming 2024 state elections, where both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are key players in Congress’s bid for re-election. The ability to secure a vital leadership role such as the KMF presidency could provide either faction with an advantage in mobilising farmer support and consolidating their political positions ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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