Karnataka Minister hits back at BJP for criticism of Tamannaah Bhatia as KSDL’S brand ambassador

Hitting back at the BJP leaders, who have been questioning actor Tamannaah Bhatia being named the brand ambassador of products manufactured by the State-owned Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Ltd. (KSDL), M.B. Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries, on Monday questioned their silence when the company was plagued by irregularities during the BJP’s tenure.

Hitting back at the BJP leaders, who have been questioning actor Tamannaah Bhatia being named the brand ambassador of products manufactured by the State-owned Karnataka Soaps & Detergents Ltd. (KSDL), M.B. Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries, on Monday questioned their silence when the company was plagued by irregularities during the BJP’s tenure.

In a statement, the Minister said, “In the wake of Ms. Tamannaah being appointed as KSDL’s brand ambassador, the BJP leaders are making loud statements. But where were these leaders when large-scale scams occurred under the chairmanship of K. Madal Virupakshappa? The same leaders, who now portray themselves as protectors of Karnataka’s entrepreneurial heritage, remained tight-lipped when Mr. Virupakshappa was sent to jail on charges of corruption in KSDL.”

Mr. Patil clarified that an expert committee reviewed several factors before taking the decision. “Some other celebrities were also considered, but they were under contract with competing brands and therefore could not be selected,” he explained.

He said that since the Congress government took office, proactive measures had been taken to streamline KSDL’s operations. “With the same equipment and workforce, we have enhanced the production capacity, and the company is now turning a profit. The BJP leaders, who were indifferent when KSDL was incurring losses, are now issuing grand statements about protecting the State’s interests,” Mr. Patil said.

“Leaders of a few organisations who had earlier questioned Ms. Tamannaah’s appointment later contacted me and expressed their satisfaction with the measures being taken to expand KSDL’s reach. They admitted that they were not fully aware of the facts initially,” the Minister remarked.

He also said that 23 new products have been added to KSDL’s line-up, with plans under way to launch dishwashing products and perfumes.