Bengaluru: DK Suresh, brother of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Bengaluru Milk Union (Bamul). Elected unopposed, Suresh stepped into the role following a resounding win on the Bamul board from the Kanakapura constituency, backed by 10 other Congress members. With Congress now holding 11 of 14 board seats, Suresh’s elevation was secured without contest.
Political Momentum in Dairy Cooperatives
Suresh’s victory at Bamul follows his defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but signals a new path of influence within Karnataka’s cooperative dairy structure. Bamul is one of the largest milk unions under the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF)—a powerful umbrella body overseeing 16 milk unions across the state.
Sources indicate Suresh may now vie for the KMF chairperson post, a position that holds considerable political and economic weight. However, the path may be contested. Current KMF Chairman LBP Bheema Naik is seeking reappointment, claiming the Chief Minister had promised him a second term. In contrast, MLA KY Nanje Gowda, aligned with CM Siddaramaiah’s camp, is also in the running.
RBKV Election Delay Fuels Internal Friction
Tensions are brewing over the delayed elections in the Raichur-Ballari-Vijayanagara (RBKV) Milk Union. Naik expressed concern that prolonged postponement could weaken his support base within KMF’s internal politics. Although the Karnataka High Court cleared the elections for June 2, Ballari officials have not yet initiated the process.
Naik has criticised Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna for alleged inaction and misinformation. He believes that internal disagreements among local Congress leaders may be contributing to the delay, potentially affecting KMF’s leadership dynamics.
As Karnataka’s dairy politics intensifies, DK Suresh’s appointment at Bamul may be the first step in a broader strategic play within the robust cooperative dairy network of the state.
