Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday, September 26, 2026 gave strong remarks on the latest Election Commission controversy and also spoke about a proposed increase in Nandini milk prices.
In recent times, Shivakumar’s statement in the wake of a Karnataka Congress protest against the Election Commission at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, called for the immediate arrest and dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and called for re-verification of the electoral process.
Shivakumar Demands Re-Verification
The controversy is centered on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission in Karnataka.
Shivakumar said, “The Chief Election Officer should be arrested and dismissed immediately. There should be a re-verification.” His comments came as Congress leaders and workers protested against the Election Commission in Bengaluru.
The Chief Minister had already asked for the fresh revision of the electoral rolls earlier in the week. On September 24, he called for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and sought a fresh SIR in Karnataka.
The political friction comes as there have been reports of disagreements within the three-member Election Commission over aspects of the electoral-roll revision exercise. Congress leaders have cited those reports while questioning the process.
Nandini Milk Price Hike Also Discussed
In the same interaction, Shivakumar also discussed the proposed increase in the price of Nandini milk.
He said milk unions were asking for a ₹10 per litre increase, saying they were studying milk prices in other states before making a decision.
“Prices have increased in other states. I am getting information about the prices there. Farmers here are very angry about the price. I will discuss this in the Cabinet,” Shivakumar said.
The issue comes after Karnataka's milk unions demanded higher prices as production costs rise and cooperative finances become tighter. The unions originally asked for an increase of between ₹8 and ₹10 per litre.
Proposal Later Reduced to ₹5
A September 26 Times of India report said all 16 district milk cooperative unions had since then urged the government to approve a ₹5 per litre hike. The previous demand for ₹8–₹10 was reportedly reduced to ₹5.
The government will have to trade off better returns for dairy farmers and the impact of a price increase on consumers.
Cabinet Decision Awaited
Shivakumar's remarks indicate that the Nandini pricing proposal was still under consideration and had not become a final government decision at the time of his comments.
The Chief Minister said he would discuss the issue in the Cabinet after reviewing milk prices in other states and information related to farmers and milk production.
