Leaders from Maharashtra’s cooperative sector, including Sanjay Bhende and Vivek Kolhe, took oath as Members of the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Thursday at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

The oath was administered by Legislative Council Chairperson Ram Shinde at the Central Hall of Vidhan Bhavan. The ceremony was attended by Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar, along with senior BJP leaders.

Vivek Kolhe, associated with IFFCO, comes from a prominent cooperative and political family. He is the son of former MLA Snehalata Kolhe and grandson of veteran cooperator Shankarrao Kolhe.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Bhende, Chairman of Nagpur Nagarik Sahakari Bank, played a major role in Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s 2024 Lok Sabha campaign. Bhende has also been linked with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and previously served as Director of NAFCUB.