Balasaheb Thorat
Nashik: Senior politicians Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Balasaheb Thorat have set aside their decades of political rivalry and joined forces for the prestigious Ahilyanagar District Central Cooperative (DCC) Bank election, triggering a dramatic realignment in the district’s cooperative politics. The much-talked-about appeal for an unopposed election citing drought conditions failed to take off, paving the way for a three-cornered contest for control of the influential cooperative institution. Three major panels have emerged after the withdrawal deadline. The Sahakar Vikas Panel, led jointly by guardian minister Vikhe Patil and former minister Thorat, is contesting on the cup-and-saucer symbol. The Sahakar Parivartan Panel, backed by MP Nilesh Lanke and former MP Sadashiv Lokhande, has been allotted the umbrella symbol, while legislative chairman Ram Shinde is leading an independent front contesting on the whistle symbol. Those elected unopposed include Sachin Ghumre (Jamkhed), MLA Akshay Kardile (Ahilyanagar), Bipin Kolhe (Kopargaon), Shankarrao Gadakh (Newasa), MLA Monika Rajale (Pathardi), Dr Sujay Vikhe Patil (Rahata), Ranjitsinh Deshmukh (Sangamner), Rajashritai Ghule (Shevgaon), Karan Sasane (Shrirampur), Datta Pansare (Shrigonda) and Sachin Jagtap from the non-agricultural credit society constituency.
In 2021, 17 of the 21 seats were elected unopposed and NCP leader Uday Shelke became chairman. After his death in 2023, BJP leader Shivajirao Kardile pulled off a surprise one-vote victory despite MVA enjoying a numerical advantage on the board. The fiercest battle is expected in the women’s reserved constituency, where seven candidates are vying for two seats. Direct contests are also slated in the Akole and Karjat society constituencies, while elections will be held in constituencies representing agricultural complementary institutions, Scheduled Castes and Tribes, nomadic tribes and other backward classes. The election comes against the backdrop of political turbulence in the bank’s leadership.
Following Kardile’s death, Chandrashekhar Ghule took charge before the term ended and an administrator was appointed.