Amid Amul row, Cong leader visits Nandini parlour in Hassan

Amid row over the entry of Gujarat-based dairy cooperative Amul into the Karnataka retail market, State Congress president D.K. Shivakumar visited Nandini Milk parlour in Hassan today.

To show his support state's farmers by opposing Amul products, Shivakumar also purchased Nandini products from there. He was also seen drinking Nandini butter milk.

The visit comes amid controversy over Gujarat state milk cooperative brand Amul's entry into the Karnataka market.

Invoking regional pride, the Opposition has alleged Amul's entry, backed by the BJP, would pose a threat to the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) brand "Nandini" that is closely tied to the identity of Kannadigas.

Speaking to ANI, Shivakumar said, "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."

Congress and BJP are at loggerheads soon after Amul announced its entry into the Bengaluru market. "A new wave of freshness with milk and curd is coming to Bengaluru. More information coming soon. #LaunchAlert. From Kengeri to Whitefield, wishing everyone a Taaza day," tweeted Amul.

AICC general secretary and Karnataka party in-charge Randeep Surjewala raised the issue alleging that the BJP was trying to "sell off" Nandini. "BJP conspiracy to sell off Karnataka Milk Federation to Gujarat's Amul is now clear. 1st, Mr. Amit Shah said it openly. Now, Ms. Shobha Karandlje supports it. NANDINI LOSES, AMUL GAINS, BOMMAI GOVT REMAINS 'MUTE' ! Save NANDINI, Vote BJP out !" he tweeted.

Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy too flayed the Bommai government on the issue in a series of tweets. The JDS leader alleged that Amul has this 'bad thinking' to finish off its lone competitor Nandini in Karnataka itself.

"Now there is a 3rd plot to finish the lifeline of Kannadigas Nandini. Plot-1: Merger of Nandini with Amul; Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement. Plot-2: Print the Hindi word 'Dahi' on curd." "Both plots failed due to strong opposition from Kannadigas. The central government through Amul is going to make the 3rd plot successful," one of his tweets read.

"One nation, one Amul, one milk and one Gujarat' has become the official policy of the Central government. Hence, Amul is strangulating KMF by standing in its support," Kumaraswamy charged in another tweet.

Nandini is the second largest dairy brand in the country after Amul in terms of turnover and owned by the Karnataka Cooperative Milk Federation (KMF). A majority of milk producers from the Old Mysuru region such as Mandya, Mysuru, Ramnagar, Kolar and central Karnataka district of Davanagere are dependent heavily on KMF.