BENGALURU: A day after Gujarat-based Anand Milk Union Ltd (Amul) announced door delivery of its products in parts of Bengaluru, the issue has taken a political turn with Congress leaders lashing out the BJP.
On Wednesday, Amul tweeted that a wave of freshness in coming to Bengaluru from Kengeri to Whitefield – from the west end of the city to the east – with the hashtag ‘LaunchAlert’. Amul said in a following tweet that quick commerce platforms will be used to facilitate milk and curd delivery.
A new wave of freshness with milk and curd is coming
to Bengaluru. More information coming soon. #LaunchAlert pic.twitter.com/q2SCGsmsFP— Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) April 5, 2023
After Amul’s announcement, netizens have raised many questions as to whether a political lobby is working for the downfall the marketing of Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Ltd (KMF). It is also claimed that the incumbent BJP government is trying to merge KMF with Amul.
The KMF collects 81.13 lakh litre of milk every day across the state and the ‘Nandini’ brand has become a trusted name for pure and fresh milk and milk products. The Nandini brand includes various products such as ice creams, sweets and other items and the Nandini milk is selling in five other states, but is presently is facing shortfall in procurementd due to the summer months.
In Gujarat, Amul collects 263 lakh litres of milk every day and sells some of its products like toned milk, butter, cheese and ghee across the country.
With Amul’s latest announcement, political leaders have alleged that it is trying to take over KMF’s market and and an artificial milk shortage for its benefit.
On Saturday, Congress state president D K Shivakumar, opposing Amul’s entry into the Karnataka market said, “KMF is a farmers’ association and Nandini is ours. About 80 lakh farmers are rearing cows and depend on dairy farming for their livelihood. However, farmers are getting a low price for milk and we should respect our farmers. Cooperation Minister S T Somashekhar wore bangles and did nothing. The BJP government should be eliminated. I have respect for Amul, but we should protect our farmers”.
“We want to protect our milk and our farmers. We already have Nandini which is a better brand than Amul… We don’t need any Amul. Our water, our milk, and our soil is strong”, he added.
On Friday, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah joined the #SaveNandini #GoBackAmul online campaign by Kannadigas. He also tweeted that the double engine government will sell assets belonging to Karnataka. “All Kannadigas should unanimously resist the usurpation of the KMF, which is built for the welfare of the farmers of the country. All Kannadigas should pledge not to buy Amul products”, he said.
He further stated that the BJP government is betraying the farmers by shutting down Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which is the livelihood of millions of dairy farming families in the country”.
Congress MLA Priyanka Kharge alleged, it is all about political conspiracy to end the identity of Kannadigas.
Congress MLA Priyanka Kharge said, “There should be competition in the free market, but there are some unwritten rules in the coopertaive sector. Amul tried to merge with KMF in Mandya, but the plan was dropped after farmers’ staged a protest. Now they are taking revenge for that. The BJP leaders are conspiring of erasae the identity of Kannadigas through the Central government”.
Reacting to the entire controversy, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai told media persons in New Delhi on Saturday that there should be no politics over the entry of Amul’s dairy products into the state.
Reacting to former chief minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks that “all Kannadigas should pledge not to buy Amul products”, Bommai said there should not be any concern about the Nandini brand of the KMF. “Nandini will become the number one brand in the country, but there must be no politics regarding Amul”, Bommai said.
“Nandini products are sold in other states and all steps will be taken to overtake Amul in the competitive market”, the Chief Minister added.