In response to the growing public and political outcry, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has taken decisive action. He has directed the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), the parent body of Nandini, to immediately initiate the process of setting up Nandini outlets at Bengaluru Metro stations. This directive signals the government’s intent to actively promote and safeguard the market presence of the local dairy brand, ensuring its accessibility to commuters.

The BMRCL had previously issued a global tender for retail spaces within the Metro network, for which Amul was reportedly the sole applicant. This singular application led to the current situation where Amul has already established outlets at two Metro stations, with plans for more. The Deputy Chief Minister clarified that while these existing Amul outlets would not be closed, the government’s focus is now firmly on ensuring Nandini also secures a prominent presence within the Metro system, specifically targeting eight stations for new outlets.

The contentious debate between Amul and Nandini is not new to Karnataka. The rivalry first flared in December 2022 when Union Home Minister Amit Shah publicly advocated for a potential collaboration between Amul and KMF. Shah’s suggestion for joint efforts to strengthen the dairy industry in the region was met with significant resistance, as many perceived it as an attempt to dilute Nandini’s independent identity and market dominance.