India, June 18 -- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday sought to calm rising criticism over the presence of Amul kiosks in Bengaluru's Namma Metro stations, assuring that Karnataka's homegrown dairy brand, Nandini, will be given space in eight locations across the metro network.

Shivakumar clarified that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) had floated tenders for retail spaces at 10 metro stations, but only Amul-managed by Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd-had submitted applications. He pointed out that even the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which owns the Nandini brand, had not come forward during the tender process.

"Except Amul, no other entity applied for the outlets - not ev...