As Amul vs Nandini war heats up in Karnataka, Bengaluru hotels’ body chooses latter to ‘support farmers’

With Amul’s announcement of making a formal entry into the markets in poll-bound Karnataka, there has been a flutter on social media with hashtags such as #SaveNandini and #GobackAmul.

The promos spearheaded by Gujarat-based dairy cooperative society Amul on social media have left at least some sections of Kannadigas concerned.

Now, in a big setback to Amul, the Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association has decided to use only Nandini milk to “support the state’s (dairy).

A war of words broke out between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress and JD(S) on Saturday over the “threat” to Karnataka Milk Federation’s famed dairy brand ‘Nandini’ following Amul’s entry to the state.

Three days ago, Gujarat-based cooperative society Amul tweeted: “A new wave of freshness with milk and curd is coming to Bengaluru. More information coming soon. #LaunchAlert. From Kengeri to Whitefield, wishing everyone a Taaza day.”

In another tweet, the dairy brand said, “The #Amul family is bringing in some Taaza into #Bengaluru city. More updates coming in soon. #LaunchAlert. Taaza arriving soon in Bengaluru.”

WANT OUR MILK TO BE PROTECTED, SAYS CONGRESS
“We want our rights, our land, our soil, our water and our milk to be protectedâ€æWe don’t want the Gujarat model. We have a Karnataka model here,” Karnataka Congress Chief DK Shivakumar told India Today amid the row over Amul’s entry into the state.

While the opposition parties have charged that the BJP government was out to finish Nandini, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the government is clear on the issue of Amul.

“We are all proud of Karnataka’s Nandini milk produced by our farmers and it should be encouraged. In our city, clean and delicious coffee stands as the backbone of snacks. And we encourage it with great pride. It is being heard that milk from other states is being shipped to Karnataka recently. We are all Nandini,” read a statement from Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association, reported news agency ANI.

On Friday, Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah said “all Kannadigas should pledge not to buy Amul products”.

“All Kannadigas have to unanimously resist the usurpation of the KMF, which has been built for the welfare of the farmers of the country. All Kannadigas should pledge not to buy Amul products”, Siddaramaiah said.

Kumaraswamy, the JD(S) second-in-command, alleged that Amul has this ‘bad thinking’ to finish off its lone competitor, Nandini, in Karnataka itself.

“One nation, one Amul, one milk and one Gujarat’ has become the official policy of the Central government. Hence, Amul is strangulating KMF by standing in its support,” Kumaraswamy charged.

BJP ACCUSES CONG OF POLITICISING AMUL’s ENTRY

Accusing Congress of politicising Amul’s entry to Karnataka, Bommai told PTI: “We have absolute clarity with regard to Amul. Nandini is a national brand. It’s not restricted to Karnataka. We have popularised Nandini as a brand in other states as well.”

He added that not only has milk production increased in the state but incentives have also been given to the milk producers.

The Chief Minister stressed that several major dairies of KMF in the state have been established during BJP rule.

“Production and number of products have increased. There is a market too (for Nandini products). Hence, Nandini will become a number one brand in some days,” Bommai said. The Chief Minister said the state is selling Nandini in other states as well.

“There is no need to be afraid of Amul. Our Nandini is an established brand. We will take all the steps to give Amul a tough competition,” he pointed out.

During Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Mandya in December 2022 where he inaugurated a mega dairy of KMF with a capacity to process 10 lakh litres a day at a cost of Rs 260 crore, the opposition had targeted him for his purported remark that Nandini and Amul should come together.