The Opposition has accused the ruling BJP of betraying the farmers of Karnataka.
Gujarat-based dairy giant Amul's announcement that its products will soon be available to order online in Bengaluru has caused a political slugfest ahead of the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections.
How the controversy started
The row over Amul's entry started when Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a dairy farm in Karnataka's Mandya in December 2022. His statement that Gujarat and Karnataka can work together for the welfare of milk-producing farmers in the country kicked up a storm, triggering a campaign to save the Nandini brand.
What Congress and JD(S) alleged
The opposition Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S), have launched scathing attacks on the ruling BJP, siding with the state's own formidable dairy brand, Nandini, owned by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF).
The opposition says the Nandini brand would come under threat if the large Gujarat brand enters the state market. The two parties have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of "looting" Karnataka.
BJP responds
The BJP has accused the Congress of unleashing a "misinformation campaign" and asserted that it has done far more than the opposition party to strengthen the KMF. While there is strong opposition from farmers and the hotel association, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai alleged the Congress and the JD(S) are politicising Amul's entry just ahead of the election.
"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," Mr Bommai said.
Karnataka Congress chief leads chorus against Amul's entry
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar visited a Nandini milk parlour in Hassan district amid the growing calls to boycott Amul products.
"Nandini is our milk. We must use our brand. We have to help our farmers because they are not getting a proper price. It (Nandini brand) is the pride of Karnataka and our farmers. But they are trying to bring Amul here. It is shameful. I never expected Basavaraj Bommai would betray the farmers of Karnataka," Mr Shivakumar said.
Karnataka minister confident Nandini can beat Amul
Co-Operation Minister ST Somashekar said that the homegrown brand Nandini can beat Amul on the pricing front. "If Amul sells its milk online for Rs 57 a litre, we will sell Nandini milk for Rs 39 a litre," the minister said.
More about milk prices
Nandini is the largest milk supplier in Karnataka, accounting for more than 33 lakh litres per day in state capital Bengaluru. While Nandini sells at Rs 39 per litre, Amul milk sells anywhere between Rs 54 and Rs 64 per litre.
Political swipes over milk
Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Sunday tweeted asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Karnataka, whether the purpose of his visit was "to loot the state".
BJP spokesperson MG Mahesh said the two opposition parties are indulging in petty politics. "The Congress's mindset is so cheap that they are ready to accept the product of China but not India. We want to make Nandini, a Karnataka-based brand, a global brand. The government is not here to support any brand, this is just the petty politics of Congress and JD(S). If something happens to farmers, Congress and JD(S) will be responsible," he said.