Allegation of Amul entry into Karnataka to kill Nandini is “brazen”: Finance Minister

Instead of building healthy competition, the narrative has been twisted, says Nirmala Sitharaman

To falsely and suddenly say Amul was being brought to kill Nandini was “brazen”, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. File | Photo Credit: ANI

Describing the allegation that milk behemoth Amul was brought to Karnataka to kill Nandini as “brazen”, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that the Amul vs. Karnataka Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation narrative was being pushed as an emotional issue for poll propaganda.

“Amul entered Karnataka when the Congress was ruling. I am not sure if I should name the Chief Minister at that time. The same respected former Chief Minister is questioning the entry of Amul. Strictly speaking, it was tweaked, twisted and made an emotional issue because it is election time,” she said, during an interaction organised here by Thinkers Forum on Sunday. The Karnataka Assembly elections are slated for May 10.

“Instead of building a healthy competition and positive narrative, it has been twisted,” she added. Strengthening dairy farming in Karnataka will continue to happen, Ms. Sitharaman said, adding that the credit for starting financial incentives to dairy farmers had to go to former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

The Finance Minister said, “In India’s scheme of things, every State has its own milk co-operative. Karnataka’s Nandini: whoever doesn’t recognise it? Even now as I have come, I had Nandini milk, curd and peda. In Delhi, I will buy Amul.” She added: “I am not a sanyasi to say I won’t drink milk if Nandini isn’t available. I still buy Amul. That’s not being against Karnataka.”

She pointed out that Nandini sold its products in other States such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, just as other State dairies’ products are also available in Karnataka. “Good competition, I would say. Why should the consumer not benefit? The idea is therefore to strengthen India in every aspect. That’s why India became the world’s largest milk producer.”

Watch | What is the Amul versus Nandini controversy? 

Against ‘freebies’

Taking a dig at the Opposition Congress and Janata Dal (Secular), which have announced a slew of freebies ahead of the Assemby elections in Karnataka, the Finance Minister said: “I will not bring any freebies. The promises given by some will be a third of the State’s budget... If it is going to take away huge amounts of money, will you have money for the development of the State. Or is that going for other considerations, which are not transparent?”