BJP Womens Wing Protests Against Rising Milk Prices in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : The BJP’s state women’s wing organized a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on November 2, opposing the recent hike in milk prices. Central Minister Shobha Karandlaje criticized the Congress government, urging it to retract the increased prices and ensure justice for farmers. She warned that if the government does not act, a “revolution” could erupt.

Addressing the demonstrators, Karandlaje stated that the Congress government should resign before a revolution occurs in the state. She emphasized that the government must reverse the price increases and provide justice to farmers.

Karandlaje alleged that the administration of the state government has deteriorated significantly over the past few months. She claimed that the situation in Karnataka has reached a critical low point.

She also criticized Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for his comments during the Kannada Rajyotsava celebration, suggesting that those in power should not assess the economic conditions of ordinary citizens based solely on their own lifestyles.

“Chief Minister, what gift do you have for the people during the Kannada Rajyotsava? You may drink Bisleri at home, but we drink water from our mother Cauvery,” she remarked.

Karandlaje urged the government not to measure the living standards of Karnataka’s citizens based on their wealth. While some may afford higher milk prices, many working in low-wage jobs, such as taxi drivers and street vendors, are struggling to make ends meet.

She highlighted that citizens are burdened with rising costs for rent, utilities, and waste collection, alongside the frequent hikes in milk and yogurt prices.

The minister pointed out that inadequate rainfall has led to severe drought conditions in the state. She criticized the government for providing meager assistance of ₹2,500 per acre to farmers, likening it to charity.

Karandlaje noted that the previous BJP government, led by B.S. Yediyurappa, had supplemented the central PM-Kisan scheme with an additional ₹4,000 for farmers. However, she claimed that the current government has halted this support and imposed numerous conditions on the ₹2,500 assistance.

She accused the government of repeatedly increasing milk prices while failing to ensure that its welfare schemes reach the intended beneficiaries. Additionally, she alleged that ₹5,000 crore allocated for the Griha Lakshmi scheme has gone missing, with no accountability provided.

Karandlaje also criticized the state of government transport corporations, asserting that despite a free bus travel scheme for women, there are insufficient funds for bus repairs or diesel purchases.

Former Legislative Council member Bharti Shetty joined the call for an immediate reversal of the milk price increase, echoing concerns about the government’s failure to support farmers adequately.