Amul continues to be on boil so far. Indian cooperative .com could establish contact with the Chairman of GCMMF ,Mr Parthi Bhai Bhatol who expressed him self fully on the recent controversy. Excerpts
Q What is the status of BM Vyas resignation? There is conflicting news in the media where in it is said that only Board has the power to accept his resignation
A Board takes up the matter when the MD is to be suspended or removed but if the MD gives his resignation voluntarily, Chairman has the right to accept it. Vyas was threatening people with the pressure of his resignation for quite some time. He sent me a letter in which he wanted to be relieved by 30 th June. In the interest of the Organization I accepted it.
Q What do you mean by the interest of Organization? Was he not useful for the organization?
A His only job was to divide cooperators on the board of GCMMF. He would oblige some members and would be opposed to others. He ensured his stay at Amul by encouraging infighting among us all. Even other wise he is 60 years old and his term was coming to end on 30th November.
Q But it is said that he resigned as the quorum of two board meetings were not fulfilled and he left in frustration
A Absolutely bogus! Mr Vyas wanted to get extension for another 5 years. He got in touch with some of the board members and bargained with them. He convinced them of grand plan of permutation and combination by which Mr Vipul Chaudhary would be made Chairman. He is a manipulator par excellence and has been running affairs of Amul as one man show.
Q So he manipulated the lack of quorum?
A Absolutely. He even put pressure on me through board members so that I resign. It was all to get Vipul made Chairman so that Vyas rule for another 5 years continues unhindered. Board members, without realizing Vyas’s game plan demanded my resignation. My humble submission to them was to tell me my mistake, I still have two years to go.This will also set a bad precedent if an elected chairman resigns due to the machinations of MD.
Q Vipul Chaudhary is trying to acquire your chair. He is a former BJP minister also.Don’t you think Narender Modi will have sympathy for him?
A Vipul Chy was in Keshu Bhai’s ministry and later went to Congress with Shanker Singh Vaghela. He is political opportunist who has changed many parties. Mr Narender Modi is very mature politician and knows the difference between shadow and substance.
Q But Vyas was Kurian’s choice?
A Yes he was in the beginning. But he soon lost Mr Kurien’s blessings. Outsiders may not know but it was B M Vyas who was behind the ouster of Kurien. Kurien had soon felt uncomfortable with Vyas style of functioning. He felt it was not conducive for farmers and was seriously planning to remove him. Sensing this, Vyas again played the game of hijacking board members so that Kurien is thrown out. Now he is trying to do a Kurien on me too.
Q Have you met Kurien? He must be a sad man seeing the happenings at Anand.
A I have met him recently but not after Vyas resignation. He will never support Vyas who thought Amul is his personal fiefdom. Vyas so much autocratic and secretive that if an employee meets the chairman or any board member he used to face disciplinary action or even suspension on some other pretext.
Q Employees getting suspended? What do you mean?
A Many things have come tumbling down after Vyas left. Some of them are unmentionable but it is a fact that the employees were a fear-stricken lot scared of meeting Chairman or any of the Board members. Now they come forward and tell strange stories I can not tell to media.