With an annual turnover of around Rs 3,000 crore, Gokul Dairy is Maharashtra’s largest dairy cooperative
He said, “Govt has finally taken the decision to overturn the mandate given by 5.5 lakh dairy farmers through their representatives.
Kapse said the ordinance would be passed by the state Governor to stamp the decision, and then the nominations will be declared. Directors from Samavichari Aghadi have moved a petition challenging the adjournment and seeking to have Shashikant Patil Chuyekar elected unopposed by simple majority. Congress MLC and Samavichari Aghadi leader Satej Patil alleged that the move was aimed at overturning the verdict of dairy farmers. We are ready to take the battle to courts and, if required, into the streets. But we will not let govt to subvert the democratic processes.”
In the 19 October elections, the Congress-led panel won 13 of 25 seats, securing a majority over Mahayuti’s 12. After Mahayuti-backed directors stalled the chairman’s election by remaining absent, Bombay high court directed a fresh election on Nov 10,” Congress MP and party media head Pawan Khera wrote on X. Abhijit Kapse, a senior advocate based in Kolhapur, said, “HC has clearly stated that only 25 elected directors to be issued the notice informing them about the meeting to elect the chairman on Nov 10. Dairy producers gave a clear verdict of 13 against 12 to the like-minded front led by Satej Patil.
Therefore, the new appointments as per cabinet meeting which will eventually take place will have no say as far as the Nov 10 meeting. Congress state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said, “Mahayuti lost the (Gokul) election.
Congress said it was in the process of challenging the Maharashtra govt’s move in Supreme Court . Defending the cabinet decision, water supply minister Gulabrao Patil said the amendment provided a way out of the deadlock. This decision is to address the concern,” he said.
“The Maharashtra govt is brazenly trying to subvert the democratic mandate of milk producers at Gokul Milk Federation by using legislative changes to manipulate the composition of an elected board. Now will they amend the law to seize power? Instead of accepting the mandate, the Mahayuti govt paved the way to grant voting rights to four govt-appointed directors. “There was some solution necessary to break the deadlock.
He said, “However, if the 12 directors abstain, no chairman will be elected and Mahayuti may benefit from the cabinet’s decision in the next meet to be called to elect the chairman. HC has kept the matter on Nov 11. The status of the Nov 10 meeting will be placed before the vacation bench and further directions will be sought by the parties.”