Vipul Chaudhary, the Chairman of Mehsana Milk Union was elected as the new Chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), in an election marked by hectic political maneuvering behind the scene.
Parthi Bhatol who served two-terms as Chairman of Amul, made way for Chaudhary to the great surprise of media and people associated with GCMMF political matrix.
Bhatol said, “I had not filed nominations for the post of chairman. I propose Vipul’s name. He has significant experience in the dairy industry, and is heading the Dudhsagar Dairy in Mehsana. All of us will together steer GCMMF to new heights.”
Till yesterday Bhatol was angling for the top political post but in the last minute he proposed Vipul Chaudhary’s name to the anti-climax of a political build-up marked for last fortnight.
Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat is caught in political vortex in the wake of Assembly election scheduled for November. GCMMF politics threatened to tear into the unity of BJP which is already compromised in the wake of Keshu Bhai’s floating a new party.
The Chairmen of milk unions affiliated to GCMMF waited for “instruction” from Narendra Modi till last minute. Even Bhatol was at a loss as to which way the politics would turn. Modi was careful not to allow a prolonged political build up that would cost BJP its unity.
The political operation was quick and swift. The instruction was clear—Vipul is to be supported. And nobody but the outgoing Chairman Bahtol would propose his name.
“Instruction” in place, the election of Chairman of GCMMF was a smooth affair. Vipul Chaudhary was elected unanimously and Bhatol did not even file his nomination. Cooperative politics gave way to consensus politics.
The transition of power was rather smooth and it took only half an hour for the diary behemoth to elect its new guardian. Hope this bonhomie continues in days to come. Vipul has already announced a goal of Rs 30,000 crore by 2020 and would be needing support from all to achieve this. Amul, after all is pride of Indian cooperative movement.