BJP protests in Karnataka over milk price hike
Protesters in Mandya and Bengaluru targeted the state government over increased costs for milk and curd.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers held protests in Mandya and Bengaluru on Monday and Tuesday to oppose a recent increase in milk prices in Karnataka. According to ANI, BJP workers in Mandya distributed milk, curd, and roses to the public while accusing the state government of adopting anti-people policies.
The protest in Mandya was led by BJP leader CT Manjunath at Mahaveer Circle. Protesters carried posters mocking the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister as 'Price Hike Badshah' and 'Price Hike King', and called the administration a 'Pickpocket Government'.
In Bengaluru, the BJP Mahila Morcha staged a protest at Freedom Park on Monday. Deccan Chronicle reported that Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje and other leaders were detained by police while attempting to march with placards and milk cans.
Karandlaje urged the government to roll back the prices or step down, alleging that the administration has deteriorated and that the rising cost of essential commodities has made life difficult for ordinary people. She also alleged that Rs 5,000 crore under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme has gone missing.
Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced on Thursday that the state government decided to increase milk prices by up to Rs 8 per litre. He stated the decision was made because the state is facing drought conditions and the government has a responsibility to support farmers.
The price hike for Nandini brand milk came into effect on November 1. The Karnataka Milk Federation has also increased the price of curd by Rs 14 a litre, according to Deccan Chronicle.