Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the recent Rs 2 per litre milk price hike, saying it supports farmers and criticized the BJP for opposing it. Shivakumar argued that input costs for farmers have increased and emphasized that the price in Karnataka remains lower than in other states. He also congratulated Rahul Gandhi on being appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, calling it a step towards preserving democracy. When questioned about the demand for additional Deputy Chief Ministers, he deferred to the Chief Minister.