Milk Wars 2.0

Strap: Congress faces fire as Amul’s metro entry threatens to derail its Kannada pride pitch

Blurb:

In a move seen as contradictory to its earlier position, the Congress has approved 10 Amul kiosks across various Namma Metro stations in the city. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition

Byline: Ashwin K

The Congress government’s recent decision to allow Amul to set up kiosks at metro stations in Bangalore has reignited a politically charged debate that once dented the BJP’s electoral prospects—and which the Congress had once used to its own advantage.

The familiar “Amul versus Nandini” battle has returned to centre stage, with the ruling party now facing flak for what critics call a “betrayal” of its pre-election stand.

In a move seen as contradictory to its earlier position, the Congress has approved 10 Amul kiosks across various Namma Metro stations in the city. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) accusing the government of backtracking on its pro-Kannadiga rhetoric.

The JD(S) lashed out on social media, saying that before the elections, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, D K Shivakumar had claimed that “Kannadiga self-respect was not for sale.” Now, the party alleged, the same leadership has compromised local interests for political or financial gains. “The Congress used the Nandini brand—the pride of our farmers and Kannadigas—for promotion and forgot about it after the election,” the JD(S) wrote on X.

Echoing the sentiment, BJP MP from Bangalore Central, P C Mohan, said the Congress had falsely accused the BJP of favouring outsiders before the 2023 Assembly polls. “Now the same Congress government, which oversees BMRCL’s operations, is enabling Amul kiosks at 10 metro stations to displace Nandini. A classic case of hypocrisy,” he wrote.

Kannadiga sentiment revisited

In the run-up to the 2023 elections, the Congress had heavily leaned into Kannada pride, positioning itself as the defender of local interests. By opposing the alleged merger of Amul and the Karnataka Milk Federation (which runs Nandini), the party struck a chord with regional sentiment—and the strategy paid off at the ballot box.

But the new decision threatens to revive the Kannadiga vs. non-Kannadiga debate, potentially alienating voters who were swayed by the Congress’ pro-Nandini stand. While the Siddaramaiah government continues to assert its commitment to the “Karnataka cause,” this latest move may undercut that narrative.

Old Mysuru concerns

The implications run especially deep in the Old Mysuru region, a Congress stronghold and a bastion of the Vokkaliga community. Nandini’s legacy is closely tied to the region and its agrarian economy. Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, a prominent Vokkaliga leader, has long projected himself as a guardian of both regional and community interests.

Having won decisively in 2023, Shivakumar’s influence in the region remains considerable. However, recent controversies like the caste survey have unsettled sections of the Vokkaliga community. Now, with concerns mounting over the entry of Amul—viewed by some as a threat to both business and identity—there is a risk of discontent brewing further.

The Congress can ill afford a backlash in Old Mysuru, where the Vokkaliga vote has been crucial to its resurgence. While the party tries to balance economic openness with regional sensitivities, the optics of welcoming Amul could prove politically costly.

Only time will tell whether the Congress can contain the fallout. But for now, the battle over milk has once again spilled into Karnataka’s political arena.