Will Karnataka Milk Federation Election Lead Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar Energy Tussle To Boil Over? – News18
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Amid the shadowboxing between the leaders, Siddaramaiah is backing incumbent KMF chairman Bheema Naik for one more time period, whereas Shivakumar is pushing for his brother and former MP DK Suresh to helm the federation
The extraordinary lobbying has uncovered simmering tensions between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar regardless of their current makes an attempt to venture unity. (PTI)
Are the upcoming elections to the Bengaluru (Bamul) and Kolar (Komul) milk unions—essential in deciding on the subsequent Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) chairman—changing into the newest battleground within the ongoing energy wrestle between chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar?
The Congress excessive command has thus far saved a good lid on the matter, urging each leaders to concentrate on governance. But, because the KMF elections warmth up — particularly the re-election to the chairman submit — the shadowboxing for political dominance between Karnataka’s prime two Congress leaders has come to the fore.
Regardless of the brewing contest spilling over to the KMF elections, each leaders are trying to downplay inner rivalries.
The KMF contest has as soon as once more underlined the lingering undercurrents of the ability tussle that started when the Congress shaped the federal government in Could 2023. Rumours of a rotational chief minister system—the place Siddaramaiah would hand over energy to Shivakumar midway by the time period—have refused to die down, regardless of efforts to current a united entrance. Shivakumar’s ambitions have remained an open secret, additional fuelling the hypothesis.
Historically, the ruling get together opts for a consensus to stop inner clashes over KMF’s prime submit. This time, nonetheless, each camps are locked in a fierce contest.
The extraordinary lobbying has uncovered simmering tensions regardless of their current makes an attempt to venture unity. Each leaders, who had been typically seen digging their heels on the attainable rotation for the CM’s submit, have now softened their public stances on management variations. They’re now backing rival candidates to take management of the politically important dairy cooperative.
Siddaramaiah is backing incumbent KMF chairman Bheema Naik for one more time period, whereas Shivakumar is pushing for his brother and former MP DK Suresh to helm the federation.
Chatting with News18, Naik mentioned his tenure has successfully seen the expansion of KMF and that since he was introduced in mid-term, he hopes to get a full time period. Bheema Naik, who stepped in halfway by the earlier tenure after BJP’s Balachandra Jarkiholi — from the politically influential Jarkiholi household — was eliminated when the Congress got here to energy, is now searching for a full five-year time period.
For Shivakumar, gaining management of KMF is strategically essential forward of the Zilla and Taluk panchayat elections later this 12 months. JD(S), beneath former PM Deve Gowda’s elder son HD Revanna, has had a long-standing management of the Hassan federation referred to as HAMUL. Revanna had successfully leveraged KMF to consolidate Vokkaliga assist—a technique Shivakumar now seeks to copy with the assistance of his former MP brother Suresh who misplaced a bitter battle within the current Lok Sabha polls.
Forward of the essential finances session of the state meeting, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar appeared to be smoking the peace pipe and placing on a united entrance to disclaim the Opposition any alternative to take advantage of inner variations and destabilise the get together’s robust authorities within the state.
Siddaramaiah, who as soon as dismissed any discuss of a management change, has all of a sudden softened his tone by repeatedly deferring the choice to the Congress excessive command. “The excessive command will lastly determine. No matter they determine will probably be relevant to all,” he reiterated.
Amid persistent hypothesis a couple of potential management change, Siddaramaiah just lately averted instantly addressing whether or not he’ll full his full time period.
“What number of instances do I’ve to say it? The excessive command will determine all the things. No matter they determine will probably be relevant to all,” he mentioned, visibly irritated by repeated questions. Whereas he had beforehand dominated out any management transition, Siddaramaiah was fast to make clear this time that the chief minister’s chair is “not vacant” to quell al the information buzz surrounding a change of guard.
Shivakumar, too, sought to current a united entrance, calling Siddaramaiah the “undisputed chief” of the federal government, a stand that’s seen as softer in comparison with his earlier statements of claiming “individuals who need me to be CM gained’t be disenchanted”.
Now, Shivakumar is heard saying: “We’re working collectively for the welfare of Karnataka. There is no such thing as a want for pointless hypothesis. Siddaramaiah is main the federal government ably, and we’re all with him.”
With native physique elections looming, Shivakumar understands that profitable them will probably be considerably more durable with out Siddaramaiah on the helm. Addressing get together staff, Shivakumar, who can also be the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, urged them to be ready. “The native physique elections may be introduced anytime quickly. We should be united and prepared,” he mentioned.
KMF had additionally just lately seen a controversial transfer following the sudden in a single day switch of its managing director, MK Jagadish, who was then left and not using a new posting. Whereas sources inside the federation had informed News18 that Jagadish’s in a single day switch was due to just a few selections taken by the senior officer with out instantly consulting KMF chairman Naik — a Congress chief intently related to Siddaramaiah — it additionally led to sudden brakes on the launch of the Nandini-branded instantaneous idli and dosa batter venture. Following Jagadish’s removing, Naik reportedly directed Nandini to halt the batter launch plans. The batter was then launched 20 days later by KMF.
Nonetheless, insiders additionally say that the open problem that KMF has taken with Amul and likewise a number of the statements through the Tirupati laddoo controversy by the then KMF officers weren’t appreciated by the higher-ups and unilateral resolution making led to his ouster.
BJP chief and former Karnataka minister CT Ravi informed News18 that each Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar “don’t consider something past their private achieve”. “They maintain saying they are going to give folks ensures and in flip loot the folks. Each the leaders are solely pondering of sharing (of energy) on a regular basis. They don’t consider in caring for the folks of Karnataka. They don’t seem to be for the folks. You possibly can idiot some folks a number of the time, however not all of the folks on a regular basis.”
Management over KMF—representing practically 25 lakh milk producers—is significant for consolidating rural votes, particularly among the many Vokkaliga group. The group kinds Shivakumar’s core assist base that he has been working at consolidating to turn into the undisputed chief of the group that has 14 per cent voters within the state.
Siddaramaiah is about to current the state finances on March 7 and this session is predicted to be a fiery one as some say the Congress excessive command could take a name on the rotational change for the chief minister’s chair.
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