BJP blamed the state government following a media report that the launch was put on hold after the state government transferred Karnataka Milk Federation Managing Director MK Jagadish, who had been leading the project in Bengaluru.
Karnataka’s flagship dairy brand, Nandini, is embroiled in controversy over delays in the launch of its whey-based idli and dosa batter. This came after a MoneyControl report stated that the launch was put on hold after the state government transferred Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) Managing Director MK Jagadish, who had been leading the project in Bengaluru.
State leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have accused the Congress government of succumbing to pressure from private players, alleging that the launch of the new ready-to-cook product, originally scheduled for November, was postponed as a result. KMF Chairman Bheema Nayak, however, insisted the delay was necessary to protect the brand image of Nandini.
The BJP has also raised concerns about the timing of Jagadish’s transfer, questioning whether it was linked to the upcoming product launch. Opposition leader R Ashok, in a post on X, suggested that “vested interests” might be influencing the government. “The sudden transfer of the efficient KMF MD MK Jagadish, who was actively expanding the Nandini brand with high-demand products like ready-made idli-dosa batter, raises doubts. Has the government caved to private companies’ demands to prevent the launch of Nandini products,” Ashok wrote.
According to reports, Bheema Nayak defended the decision to postpone the dosa batter launch, stating that six months ago, there had been a proposal to outsource the product from a private company and market it under the Nandini brand. This proposal was rejected, as KMF was planning to set up its own manufacturing facility for the batter. Nayak said that the move to avoid outsourcing was to ensure control over product quality, which he argued was vital to maintain Nandini’s reputation. Next steps regarding this would occur in meetings that will be held soon, he added.
After the Tirupathi ghee controversy, KMF decided to reassess its plans. Nayak told Deccan Herald that the decision was not recent but had been put on hold for months.
The KMF chairman dismissed the political allegations surrounding the MD’s transfer, saying it was made for “administrative improvement.” However, Moneycontrol reported ongoing tensions between Nayak and Jagadish over management issues. This further fueled speculation that these internal conflicts might have influenced the decision.
Two KMF officials TNM spoke to said that transfers are common in the organisation. “Transfers are part of the system. This one has been politicised out of proportion,” said an official who preferred to remain anonymous. TNM has reached out to Bheema Nayak for comment and will update the story when he responds.
Under Jagadish’s leadership, Nandini had significantly expanded its market presence, even sponsoring teams in the Indian Super League, Pro Kabaddi League, and cricket teams in Scotland and Ireland during the T20 World Cup. His tenure is seen as a period of aggressive expansion and innovative marketing strategies for the brand.
Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra also accused Congress government of protecting private brands. He said, “Now, CM Siddaramaiah and DCM Shivakumar, hand-in-hand with the Kerala lobby, have sabotaged Nandini to protect private brands. A dedicated bureaucrat is being punished for doing his job well-unacceptable in this government! Who is behind this conspiracy? The people of Karnataka demand answers!”
The BJP claims that the transfer is part of an effort to favour iD Fresh, a leading player in the instant dosa batter market. The market leader reportedly holds 50% of the market share.
iD Fresh Foods was founded in Bengaluru in the year 2005 and their products are now sold in many locations across India, UAE, US, UK, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Previously, iD was the target of an incendiary and communal WhatsApp forward that falsely claimed the company “mixes cow bones and calf rennet” to increase the volume of its batter. The company denied these allegations, calling them baseless and malicious.
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