Daijiworld Media Network - Kolhapur
Kolhapur, Nov 5: The controversy over the Maharashtra government's decision to appoint four voting directors to the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union, popularly known as Gokul, has intensified, with Congress leader Satej Patil announcing a protest march in Kolhapur on November 9. The decision has also reportedly exposed differences within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena expressing reservations over the move.
The state Cabinet approved an amendment allowing the appointment of five government nominees to the boards of large cooperative institutions with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 500 crore and receiving government assistance. Four of the nominees will have voting rights, while the fifth, a government official, will not be entitled to vote. The move has triggered strong opposition as it could alter the balance of power in Gokul.
Patil, whose panel secured 13 of the 25 seats in the Gokul board elections against the Mahayuti-backed panel's 12, has accused the government of attempting to overturn the mandate given by milk producers. He alleged that the people of Kolhapur had rejected the ruling alliance in the election and that the government was now trying to gain control of the cooperative through government appointments.
Patil also criticised the government's decision to bring in the changes after the election results, questioning the purpose of holding democratic elections if the elected representatives could be outnumbered through subsequent government nominations. He said the opposition would explore all legal options and would not remain silent.
Announcing a protest, Patil said a large march would be organised in Kolhapur on November 9 against the government's decision. He accused the ruling alliance of attempting to take control of Gokul despite losing the board elections.
The controversy has also reportedly created differences within the Mahayuti alliance. Sources indicate that leaders of Shinde's Shiv Sena are unhappy with the appointment of government-nominated directors and do not agree with the positions taken by the BJP and the Nationalist Congress Party.
The Shiv Sena's stated position is that the members elected through the democratic process must be accepted and the mandate given by voters should be respected. The party is understood to have questioned the need to alter the composition of the board after the election.
The disagreement comes amid growing tensions between the BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena over several issues, including the recent graduate constituency elections. The latest developments surrounding Gokul have added another point of friction within the ruling alliance.
The dispute over the chairperson's election has further complicated the situation. Following the October 19 board elections, Patil's panel secured 13 seats, while the Mahayuti-backed panel won 12. A meeting held on October 29 to elect the chairperson could not proceed because the 12 Mahayuti-backed directors remained absent, preventing the required quorum of 14 members.
The Bombay High Court's Kolhapur bench subsequently directed that a fresh meeting be convened on November 10, with notices to be issued to all 25 elected directors. The government's decision to introduce voting nominees ahead of the meeting has now raised fresh questions over the election process and the future control of the cooperative.
Opposition leaders have alleged that the appointments are intended to change the electoral arithmetic and secure control of the organisation for the ruling alliance. The government, however, has defended the proposed changes, stating that large cooperative institutions require greater transparency, professional expertise and effective administration.
The developments have placed the Gokul controversy at the centre of a wider political confrontation in Maharashtra, with the opposition preparing to challenge the decision and differences emerging within the ruling alliance.