Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Thursday, 29 October 2026, accused the state Congress government of repeatedly burdening citizens through milk price hikes, warning of street protests if the administration proceeds with the latest proposed increase of ₹8 per litre, effective 1 November. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said the hike would hit poor and middle-class families the hardest.

The Proposed Hike and Its Breakdown

The Karnataka government announced earlier on Thursday that Nandini milk prices would rise by ₹8 per litre from 1 November. Of the total increase, ₹7 will go directly to farmers and ₹1 to milk unions. The price paid to farmers will rise from ₹35 to ₹42 per litre, and with the existing government subsidy of ₹5, farmers will effectively receive ₹47 per litre.

BJP's Criticism: A Pattern of Repeated Increases

Ashoka pointed to a series of successive revisions in Nandini milk prices under the Congress administration. He cited a ₹3 hike in July 2023, followed by a ₹2 increase in June 2024, and a further ₹4 rise in March 2025. With the current proposed addition of ₹8, he argued the cumulative increase would total ₹17, pushing the price of Nandini toned milk from ₹46 to ₹54 per litre.

Addressing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar directly, Ashoka questioned whether the series of hikes had no end, alleging that the government was preparing yet another round of increases. He asked whether increasing the cost of essential commodities and imposing additional taxes was the Congress government's 'guarantee' to the people of Karnataka — a pointed reference to the ruling party's pre-election welfare pledges.

Bus Fares and Broader Cost-of-Living Concerns

Ashoka also raised concerns over reported discussions about hiking fares on state-operated bus services, including the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). He questioned whether the government intended to burden every segment of society — from children consuming milk daily to daily commuters relying on public buses for work.

Comparing the proposed increases to 'pouring ghee on a burning fire', Ashoka said imposing additional costs on people already grappling with rising prices of essential commodities ran contrary to principles of public welfare.

BJP's Warning and Demand for Accountability

The BJP leader demanded that the Karnataka government immediately withdraw proposals that would increase the financial burden on poor and middle-class families. He warned that if the government proceeded with what he termed 'anti-people policies', the BJP would take to the streets and mount an organised protest campaign.

He also urged the government to provide a transparent account of its financial management before citing farmer interests or transport corporation losses as justifications for the price increases. The government is yet to formally respond to the BJP's charges. With the hike set to take effect on 1 November, political pressure on the Shivakumar administration is expected to intensify in the coming days.