The political landscape in Mysuru is set for a significant contest as the influential Mysuru Milk Union (Mymul) prepares for a leadership transition. The five-year term of the current board of directors is scheduled to conclude on March 17, prompting aspirants from major political factions to begin their election campaigns in earnest.
Political Parties Ramp Up Preparations
In the previous term, representatives backed by both the Congress and the BJP-JD(S) coalition were elected to the board. The political stakes have been raised following Congress's recent control over the Mysuru-Chamarajanagar District Central Cooperative (MDCC) Bank. This development has spurred the JD(S), which faced a setback, to intensify its efforts for the upcoming Mymul polls under the leadership of Hunsur MLA GD Harishgowda. Not to be outdone, the Congress party has also stepped up its own preparations for the electoral battle.
Election Structure and Key Players
The elections, likely to be held in April, will fill a total of 15 director posts. Out of these, 11 posts are reserved for men and four for women. Geographically, seven posts are assigned for the Mysuru sub-division, while the remaining eight are for the Hunsur sub-division. The electorate consists of the presidents of all Primary Milk Cooperative Societies (PMCS), who hold the voting rights to elect the Mymul board. There are a total of 1,052 PMCS presidents across the taluks of both sub-divisions.
The previous board elections were held in March 2021. The political dynamics have seen notable shifts since then. In the 2023 polls, a large number of supporters of JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy and GT Devegowda were elected. PM Prasanna, son of then Periyapatna MLA K Mahadev, was elected as a director from Periyapatna and later became the president of Mymul, holding the post until August 2024.
A History of Changing Leadership
Following Congress's ascent to power in the state, the presidency changed hands. R Cheluvaraju, a representative from T Narasipura and a supporter of district minister HC Mahadevappa, was elected president. He served from August 7, 2024, until October 23, 2025. On that date, Eregowda, who represents HD Kote taluk and is a supporter of Congress MLA Anil Chikkamadu, took over the presidency and continues in the role.
With the current term ending soon, all aspirants, including the sitting board of directors, have initiated campaigns for re-election. Although the elections are not formally contested on official party lines, it is a well-known practice for local legislators to field their supporters and even family members to exert influence within the powerful cooperative body.
Mymul president K Eregowda confirmed that his term will indeed end on March 17. Subsequently, the state government will appoint an administrator to oversee the union's affairs until the new board of directors is formally elected and takes charge, marking the next chapter in Mysuru's dairy cooperative politics.
