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The BJP and JDS highlighted what they called “double standards” of the Congress, which held the ‘Save Nandini’ campaign ahead of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections
Amul has started its kiosk at Baiyappanahalli station. (News18)
A recent agreement allowing Amul kiosks to operate at 10 Bengaluru Metro stations has ignited a fierce political debate, with opposition parties accusing the ruling Congress government of hypocrisy and neglecting the interests of Karnataka’s beloved Nandini milk brand.
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) recently inked a license agreement with the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Amul) to establish retail points at prominent metro stations, including Pattandur Agrahara, Indiranagar, Majestic, Jayanagar, and Banashankari. These kiosks are slated to offer Amul’s full range of dairy products, chocolates, snacks, organic items, and edible oils, aiming to enhance commuter convenience.
Amul has started its kiosk at Baiyappanahalli station.
ನಮ್ಮ ನಂದಿನಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆ: ಮೆಟ್ರೋಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 8 ನಂದಿನಿ ಮಳಿಗೆ ತೆರೆಯಲು ಸೂಚನೆಬಿಎಂಆರ್ ಸಿಎಲ್ ಅವರು ಟೆಂಡರ್ ಕರೆದಿದ್ದು, ಅಮೂಲ್ ಹೊರತಾಗಿ ಬೇರೆ ಯಾರೂ ಮಳಿಗೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹಾಕಿಲ್ಲ. ಕೆಎಂಎಫ್ ಕೂಡ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹಾಕಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಈಗ ಕೆಎಂಎಫ್ ನವರಿಗೆ ನಾವು ಅರ್ಜಿ ಹಾಕುವಂತೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದ್ದು, ಟೆಂಡರ್ ಕರೆಯಲಾಗಿದ್ದ 10 ಕಡೆಗಳ ಪೈಕಿ ಎರಡು ಕಡೆ… pic.twitter.com/XkJqtePtgQ
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) June 18, 2025
WHAT DEPUTY CM DK SHIVAKUMAR SAID
Amid the mounting pressure to safeguard Nandini’s market, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that BMRCL had initially issued a global tender, which KMF (Karnataka Milk Federation, producers of Nandini) had not participated in, leading to Amul’s successful bid for 10 locations. However, Shivakumar added, “Now, at 8 places, we will give it to KMF. I have instructed them to apply and they will be given. Amul has opened at 2 places already. It won’t be right to close it down. It was a global tender.”
Ahead of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, Congress falsely accused BJP of favouring outsiders. But now, the same Congress govt, which oversees BMRCL’s operations and maintenance, has enabled Amul kiosks at 10 Metro stations to displace Nandhini. A classic case of hypocrisy.— P C Mohan (@PCMohanMP) June 18, 2025
THE CRITICISM OVER OUTSIDER AMUL
However, this move has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal Secular (JDS), who are highlighting a perceived double standard from the Congress, which vigorously championed the ‘Save Nandini’ campaign ahead of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. At that time, the Congress had falsely accused the BJP of favouring “outsiders” over local brands.
BJP MP PC Mohan slammed the current administration, stating, “Ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, the Congress falsely accused BJP of favouring outsiders. But now, the same Congress government, which oversees BMRCL’s operations and maintenance, has enabled Amul kiosks at 10 Metro stations to displace Nandini. A classic case of hypocrisy.”
Echoing this sentiment, the JDS criticised Shivakumar, alleging he had “sold his self-respect.”
“Before polls, he claimed Kannadiga pride isn’t for sale – now, milk products from other states are allowed at 10+ metro stations, sidelining Nandini. Congress has failed to protect it,” the JDS statement read.
Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India’s space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi…Read More
Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India’s space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi… Read More
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