‘For Ugadi, a gift of price hike’: HD Kumaraswamy blasts Karnataka government over costlier Nandini milk, power | Bengaluru

Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government, criticizing the recent hikes in milk and electricity prices.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he accused the government of exploiting people under the pretext of welfare.

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Check out his post here:

Kumaraswamy highlighted that this is the third hike in milk prices under the current government, detailing the increases: ₹3 in August 2023, ₹2 in June 2024, and ₹4 in March 2025. He also pointed out the latest hike in electricity tariffs, which adds a 36-paise surcharge per unit.

“Two years of relentless exploitation! For Ugadi, a festival of joy, the government gifts us a price hike!” he wrote, calling the administration a “multi-faced Ravana” that burdens people while pretending to offer benefits.

The JD(S) leader also questioned the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), alleging that while the government claims the hike benefits farmers, the real beneficiary is KMF. “You’ve hiked curd prices by ₹4. Where is this money going? Will farmers get it, or is KMF keeping it all? Clarify!” he demanded.

Further intensifying his attack, Kumaraswamy labeled the Congress government as the “East India Congress Company,” accusing it of prioritizing corporate interests over the welfare of Kannadigas.

The remarks come amid growing public discontent over rising costs, with critics questioning the state’s economic policies and their impact on citizens.

Milk prices in Karnataka will increase by ₹4 per litre starting from April 1, said state Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna on Thursday. The Minister said the price increase comes in response to the pressure from milk federations and farmers. Addressing reporters here, he said, “The decision to hike the prices is by the milk federation, they were asking for ₹5 hike per litre, the government agreed and decided for ₹4 hike from April 1.

The milk price revision comes in the wake of hikes in bus and metro fares, as well as power tariffs.

(Also Read: Karnataka HC restricts bank from deducting full pension of retired employee for loan recovery)