Slugfest Over Amul Continues in K’taka; Siddaramaiah Calls it ‘Gujarat Intrusion’, CM Assures To Safeguard ‘Nandini’

As the Karnataka assembly elections draw near, the political row over Amul’s entry into the southern state’s market has intensified. While the opposition has been attacking the ruling BJP for allegedly destroying the state’s cooperative – Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), the BJP government has defended the move, saying that Amul is fighting for Nandini’s supremacy in the state. Will not pose any danger.

Terming the move as Gujarat’s intrusion into Karnataka, former state chief minister and Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah took to Twitter to attack the prime minister. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for “possibility of KMF and Amul merger”.

“The entry of Amul from Gujarat in our state will further reduce the demand for Nandini and further reduce the stock of KMF. Why are you trying to hurt those farmers whose main source of income is dairy farming Mr. Narendra Modi? read the tweet.

Siddaramaiah further alleged that the Karnataka brand Nandini’s products started rapidly disappearing from the market, and were being replaced by Amul just after Home Minister Shah floated the idea of ​​merging Amul and KMF. The Congress leader called it an unusual development in Karnataka.

Meanwhile, Congress state chief DK Shivakumar visited Nandini Milk Parlor in Hassan to pledge his support to the state brand and support the farmers who contribute to KMF. He also bought many of Nandini’s products from the booth.

“I am not asking you to stop, I agree it is an open market but we should save our farmers. Let Amul be there, but you have to save our farmers. Our farmers are abandoning it and selling it at cheap prices despite losses,” said Shivakumar, who was seen drinking Nandini buttermilk in front of the shop.

However, the BJP hit back at the Congress on the Amul vs Nandini row and said that the opposition party is making a complete political hue and cry over the issue for its political gains in the upcoming elections, as KMF cannot be destroyed and any other brand Nandini Can’t compete with.

“Already milk from eight states is being sold in Karnataka. It is discussed that Gujarat’s milk will also be sold here. Our Nandini brand has grown to such an extent that no one can compete with us. A total of 74 lakh liters of milk is produced here. If Amul or any other product enters Karnataka, Nandini will not have any problem because of them. For their political reasons, the opposition parties are doing this and our farmers should understand this,” said Minister for Social Welfare and Justice, Kota Srinivasa Pujari.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has also defended his government’s move and said that the brand’s market has now doubled as compared to the time of the Congress government in the state.

Nandini will become number one brand in the country but there should be no politics regarding Amul. Nandini’s products are being sold in other states and all steps will be taken to outdo Amul in the competitive market.

Amul’s entry into the Karnataka market faced strong opposition from various associations in Karnataka. While the Bengaluru Hotel Association called for a boycott of Amul products and vowed to use only Nandini products, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike protested in Bengaluru over the issue.

The pro-Kannada organization also protested in Mysore Bank Circle by destroying Amil products to express their outrage.

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