The Amul vs Nandini row had agitated local milk producers in Karnataka. The problem snowballed into a political issue just days before the State went to the polls. If the dairy farmers’ anger reflected in the votes, the impact was expected to be pronounced in Belagavi, Tumkur, Hassan, Mysuru and Mandya, the top five milk-producing districts.
Data shows that, of the 54 seats in these five districts, the Congress won in 32 constituencies in the 2023 polls, 18 more than their 2018 tally. The JD(S), a party that has traditionally done well in these areas and in the agricultural belt, led in only nine seats, 13 less than in the previous elections. The BJP trailed in six seats compared to 2018. In terms of vote share too, the Congress gained the most.
The chart shows the top milk-producing districts of Karnataka (milk production in ‘000’ tonnes).
