Die is cast, it’s a fight between Parthi Bhatol and Vipul Chaudhary in the election of Gujarat Cooperative Marketing Milk Federation (GCMMF), the owner of famous brand Amul.
Till recently Bhatol was being coy and not declaring his name. He was probably waiting for the green light from the High Command. But on Sunday while talking to Indian Cooperative.com he said he is very much in race.
Bhatol would file nomination on 18th August, the day of the GCMMF election. Obeying the court orders the Deputy Commissioner of Anand had announced the election schedule. Vipul Chaudhary would also file nomination on the same day.
Vipul Chaudhary is representing the milk union, Dudhsagar of Mehsana while Bhatol represents Banas dairy.
Though Bhatol was careful enough not to drop any hint, it is obvious that he has had some positive response from Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
But Indian Cooperative has reliably learnt that though Modi favours Bhatol he is yet to signal his choice to the different milk unions
counting sixteen.
Majority of the milk unions, about 12 are controlled by the ruling party while the remaining four are in the Congress fold. Modi, himself caught neck-deep into the preparations for the assembly elections would spell out his choice, according to his close aide, a couple of days only before the election.
The delay is necessitated by the fact that Vipul Cahudhary, the challenger of Bhatol also belongs to the BJP fold. Modi would not like to displease anybody without reasons. He is possibly assessing the loss or the gain of supporting either of the candidates in the larger context of the state election due in November.
But what is clear is that the Congress MLA and Chairman of milk union Amul , Ramsinh Parmar stands no chance.
His effort to upset Bhatol by siding with Vipul Chaudhary is fraught with risks for Vipul as his party would not take kindly to his seeking support from outsiders.
Vipul’s detractors accuse him of not conducting the affairs of Dudhsagar in a fair and progressive manner. His disposition and way of treating people are also not liked by many.
There are many who oppose Bhatol too and cite numerous cases of irregularity at Banas dairy. The current subtle war may get louder as the election day gets closer.