The petition sought directions to transfer the administration of Gokul Dairy to Shashikant Patil Chuyekar
The controversy erupted on Thursday when presiding officer Mausami Chougule adjourned the chairman’s election meeting, citing the absence of the required quorum of 14 directors. all 12 directors from the Mahayuti-backed panel abstained from the meeting, resulting in a shortfall of one member While the Samavichari Aghadi controls 13 seats in the 25-member board. During the hearing, lawyers representing the 12 Mahayuti directors, state govt and the state cooperative election authority sought to be impleaded in the case. The matter has been posted for hearing on Nov 2. Under the applicable rules, the chairman’s election must be completed within 15 days of the board election, a deadline set to expire on Nov 3.
Mushrif described the attempt to elect a chairman in the absence of quorum as “absurd”. The court directed the petitioners to amend the plea and serve notices on the proposed respondents. Senior advocate Kumbhakoni further expressed apprehension that rules could be amended to favour Mahayuti camp. The bench described such fears as unrealistic but clarified that any action taken by any party would remain subject to the final outcome of the proceedings. The timeline has added urgency to the dispute. Meanwhile, state ministers Hasan Mushrif and Prakash Abitkar maintained that it was Satej Patil ’s responsibility to ensure quorum for the chairman’s election. Both the ministers, however, indicated that Mahayuti directors would attend the next meeting, potentially paving the way for a resolution of the stalemate.