ResearchED: What’s All The Hype Around Amul Vs. Nandini Milk In Poll Bound Karnataka

The dairy cooperative Amul on 5th April announced that it’ll enter the Karnataka market to supply its milk and curd. This became a chance for the political opposition to pin down the ruling BJP. 

The announcement came months after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who also holds the Ministry of Cooperation, during the inauguration of KMF’s mega-dairy in Mandya, said that Nandini and Amul together can do wonders for the dairy sector. Nandini is the homegrown brand of Karnataka, and Amul is a national brand based in Gujarat.

Political Narrative For Upcoming Elections 

The opposition Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) created a narrative for the upcoming assembly elections. The parties expressed concerns that Nandini. which originated from Karnataka Milk Federation, could be merged with Amul. Nandini, a 21000 crore brand, has an emotional connection with the people of Karnataka.

This led to widespread allegations that the BJP wants to merge the 49 years old KMC’s Nandini with Anand Milk Union Limited’s Amul, which is 76 years old. The opposition alleged that BJP was trying to sell off Nandini in order to implement “One Nation, One Amul, One Milk, and One Gujarat.”

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai clarified that there are no such plans on merging the two brands. Bommai said that Nandini is not a regional brand and it is popular in other states as well. “We have absolute clarity with regard to Amul. Nandini is a national brand. It is not restricted to Karnataka. We have popularised Nandini as a brand in other states as well.”

Amul Vs. Nandini

Right now, Nandini is the second largest cooperative after Amul. Amul produces 1.8 crores litres of milk every day, while KMF produces over 90 lakh litres a day. Nandini products are sold in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Nandini also indulges in exports. 

The chairman of Karnataka Milk Federation, P. Nagaraju, said that Nandini is a market leader as milk prices are competitive, and quality is superior with zero adulteration. Nandini has a good network of milk unions and milk producers. Also, people have pride in their products.

Amul is not new in the state of Karnataka. It had been selling its butter, yogurt, ice cream, and ghee in the state for a long time. Also, there are other dairy brands selling packaged milk and curd, such as Namdhari and Akshayakalpa, based in Karnataka, Tirumala, Arokya, and Milky Mist, based in Tamil Nadu, and Dodla and Heritage, based in Telangana.

A litre of Nandini’s toned milk is valued at ₹39. On the other hand, Amul is priced at ₹52.

Why Did These Allegations Become Rife?

In the last week of March, after Amit Shah’s announcement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India directed Nandini to write ‘Dahi’ in Hindi on curd packets in addition to the local name. This became an issue of language imposition.

The opposition parties also allege that when Amul will be allowed to be sold in the state, the government will create a scarcity of Nandini products which will force people to buy Amul. According to Nagaraju, “Maharashtra State Cooperative Milk Federation Limited, also known as Mahanand Dairy, is not doing good business ever since Amul entered the market. Similarly, the cooperative milk federations did not pick up much in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.”

Also Read: Milk Prices Rose 10.5% In A Year; Here’s Why

The KMF provides livelihood to more than 25 lakh farmers in Karnataka. Shah’s statement triggered a #SaveNandini campaign. The opposition also alleged that there is a decline in milk production, but Bangalore Milk Union Limited said that production dwindled due to summer, which happens every year. Milk production has reduced from 90 lakh litres a day to 75 lakh litres a day.

No Amul Vs. Nandini: MD Jayen Mehta

Amul’s MD Jayen Mehta assured that there was no conflict between Amul and Nandini. He said, “Association between Amul Federation and Nandini will only benefit cattle herders. We are joining in the spirit of cooperation. No harm will come to Amul or Nandini. It was never Amul vs Nandini but it is Amul and Nandini. We are selling Amul milk since 2015 in Hubli Belgaum, North Karnataka. We thought of selling milk through e-commerce.”

Mehta also highlighted the camaraderie between the two brands in the state, “Amul is manufacturing its ice cream at its Nandini plant in Karnataka. Last year we made ice cream worth Rs 100 crore from Nandini’s milk at Nandini’s plant and sold in Karnataka and South India market.”

What Is BJP Government’s Defence?

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has rubbished the claims of the opposition. He said that they are trying to mislead the people and create fear among them.  He also said that the major dairies of KMF were established during BJP rule. Also, milk production grew under BJP’s rule. 

State BJP MLC Chalavadi T Narayanswami said that the issue is a part of “false propaganda” of Congress and Janata Dal (S). A senior BJP leader named it a new toolkit to create a misinformation campaign. 

State BJP general secretary said, “Nandini is in the number two position in the whole country, so in the coming days, we will also export to different countries. This is our idea. Nandini products are supplied in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Nandini’s milk is also used to make laddoos in Tirupati temple.”

It is strange that a daily use commodity like milk can also be a part of such a massive political campaign. The opposition has done a great job in creating a narrative, and now BJP has to steer clear of this controversy in order to win.

Image Credits: Google Images

Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth

Sources: Press Trust Of India, Asian News International, The Print

Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi

This post is tagged under: Amul, Nandini, Amul vs Nandini, Karnataka, Assembly elections, Bhartiya Janta Party, Amit Shah, Gujarat, KMF, milk, Cooperatives, political narrative

Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, or copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.

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