Amul vs. KMF row: Opposition parties call it an effort to kill the cooperative sector, continue attack on government

Opposition parties in Karnataka have continued their fierce attack against the BJP government after Amul announced its plans to sell milk and curd in the Bengaluru market. The former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy termed Amul’s move “a ploy to kill brand Nandini” and argued that it would lead to unhealthy competition and destroy the cooperative systems.

Opposition parties in Karnataka have continued their fierce attack against the BJP government after Amul announced its plans to sell milk and curd in the Bengaluru market.

The former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy termed Amul’s move “a ploy to kill brand Nandini” and argued that it would lead to unhealthy competition and destroy the cooperative systems.

“This is the third conspiracy to finish the Nandini brand. Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement to merge Amul and Nandini was the first ploy. Directions to use the word ‘Dahi’ on the curd packets of Nandini was the second one. These two attempts failed due to vehement opposition by Kannadadigas. Now, the Central government has resorted to the third conspiracy through Amul,” alleged Mr. Kumaraswamy. He said that the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) never sold milk in Gujarat and respected the cooperative principles but Amul was doing another way round.

Kannada organisations carried out an online campaign protesting against Amul’s move and to protect the interest of Nandini brand in the State.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has accused the Opposition parties of “politicising” the issue. “Nandini is a national brand. Nandini brand is being sold in many States. The State government has supported Nandini for its development. Nandini will become the number-one brand shortly. There is no need to fear Amul. Nandini is a well-established brand and all steps will be taken to overtake Amul in competition,” he said.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shobha Karandlaje released a video on Saturday claiming that the Congress and the JD(S) were “hatching a conspiracy to defame the ruling party” using the KMF as a “political tool”.

In a series of social media posts, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) lashed out at Mr. Bommai by saying that the State BJP government is a “traitor”. “The BJP has considered the silence of Kannadigas as a weakness. The BJP is ruining the distinct identity of the State,” said the KPCC in a tweet.