Amid the controversy over dairy giant Amul's entry into Karnataka market, the Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association (BBHA) has announced that it will only use homegrown 'Nandini' milk.
"All the hotels in the city have unanimously decided to use only Nandini products to encourage the local farmers," BBHA president PC Rao told Bengaluru Mirror.
Just days after Amul announced on Twitter that it was launching in Karnataka, the Opposition Congress and JD(S) protested against the decision, terming it a conspiracy by the BJP government to destroy the local brand KMF, which sells milk and curd in the state under the brand name of Nandini.
Amul's Twitter feed also saw a huge backlash as hashtags like #Savenandini #GobackAmul started trending on Twitter. One tweet read: "After destroying Maharashtra, Modi Shah now planning to destroy Karnataka. Amit Shah has planned to destroy Karnataka's popular milk brand Nandini by bringing Gujarat's Amul into the state. Boycott Amul and SAVE NANDINI."
Another user said Karnataka farmers will answer through vote.
While the whole issue has snowballed into political slug fest between the ruling BJP, and opposition Congress and JD(S), Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the government was clear on the issue of Amul.
He also accused the Congress of politicising Amul's entry to Karnataka. "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," Bommai said.
He added that not only has milk production increased in the state but incentives have also been given to the milk producers.
Adding 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.
Earlier in the day, AICC general secretary and Karnataka party in-charge Randeep Surjewala raised the issue alleging that the BJP was trying to "sell off" Nandini. Surjewala tweeted, "BJP conspiracy to sell off Karnataka Milk Federation to Gujarat's Amul is now clear. 1st, Mr. Amit Shah said it openly. Now, Ms. Shobha Karandlje supports it. NANDINI LOSES, AMUL GAINS, BOMMAI GOVT REMAINS MUTE' ! Save NANDINI, Vote BJP out!"
Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy too flayed the state government on this issue in a series of tweets. "Now there is a 3rd plot to finish the lifeline of Kannadigas Nandini. Plot-1: Merger of Nandini with Amul; Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement. Plot-2: Print the Hindi word 'Dahi' on curd."
"Both plots failed due to strong opposition from Kannadigas. The central government through Amul is going to make the 3rd plot successful," he 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.
This comes days after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) instructed KMF to print 'Dahi' on curd packets. However, the FSSAI had to reverse its notification after a backlash from the political parties in the South.
Meanwhile, Jayen Mehta, managing director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation which owns Amul, said he was aware of the Twitter storm over the brand's announcement on entry in Karnataka. Mehta told Financial Express that the brand is currently looking at e-commerce/quick commerce channels and not looking at general trade. "For general trade, we will need to bring down price points. There is no such plan currently. And a modern trade entry of Amul in Bengaluru will happen only six months later," he said as quoted by Financial Express.
