Setback for Amul, Bengaluru hoteliers choose Nandini to 'support farmers'

In a setback for Gujarat-based dairy giant Amul, the Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association has decided to use only Nandini milk to "support the state's (dairy) farmers".

The development comes amid a political slugfest over Amul's announcement of foraying into the Bengaluru dairy market.

Issuing a statement, the Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association, without naming Amul, said Kannadigas should only promote Nandini milk products.

"We are all proud of Karnataka's Nandini milk produced by our farmers and it should be encouraged. In our city, clean and delicious coffee stands as the backbone of snacks. And we encourage it with great pride. It is being heard that milk from other states is being shipped to Karnataka recently. We are all Nandini," read a statement from Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association.

"Hashtags like #SaveNandini and #GobackAmul are trending on Twitter ever since the controversy surfaced in Karnataka."

The debate triggered after Gujarat-based cooperative society Amul announced about its foray into Bengaluru.

"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."

In another tweet, the dairy brand said, "The #Amul family is bringing in some Taaza into #Bengaluru city. More updates coming in soon. #LaunchAlert. Taaza arriving soon in Bengaluru." While the opposition parties have charged that the BJP government was out to finish Nandini, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the government is clear on the issue of Amul.

Accusing Congress of politicising Amul's entry to Karnataka, Bommai said: "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." He added that not only has milk production increased in the state but incentives have also been given to the milk producers.

The Chief Minister stressed that several major dairies of KMF in the state have been established during BJP rule.

"Production and number of products have increased. There is a market too (for Nandini products). Hence, Nandini will become a number one brand in some days," Bommai said. The Chief Minister said the state is selling Nandini in other states as well.

"There is no need to be afraid of Amul. Our Nandini is an established brand. We will take all the steps to give Amul a tough competition," he pointed out.