There is an eerie silence in GCMMF at Anand in Gujarat these days. Elections are round the corner but when- is not known to anyone. And who are in fray is another question haunting the stake holders.
Talking to Indian Cooperative on Monday the outgoing Chairman Parthi Bhatol once again reiterated that he does not know if he is a candidate. Sources confide to Indian Cooperative that he is waiting for “order” of his political bosses.
But Bhatol clarified to Indian Cooperative that what he waits for is the members’ reaction. If they want me to contest I would do so, he said emphatically.
When Indian Cooperative contacted Mr R S Sodhi, the Managing Director of GCMMF to know the date of elections, Mr Sodhi said “no dates have come so far from the office of District Magistrate”.
Readers could recall that court had asked Collector to complete the elections procedure within a month. Board has already completed its tenure in July.
GCMMF, the cooperative federation of 16 milk unions has in its byelaws stipulation of a perpetual board. Explaining this further, Sodhi said that unless the next board meeting takes place, the erstwhile board would continue.
The dairy cooperative giant passes through the motion of a board meeting after every three months. Even the date of holding next board meeting is to be fixed in consultation with the district magistrate.
But Mr Sodhi sounded confident that within a month a new board would be constituted.
Vipul Chaudhary remains a potent challenger, besides Bhatol. But each of the board members of GCMMF has to first get elected from the milk union which he represents. Election of Banas dairy is round the corner.
Bhatol’s victory at Banas would embolden him to contend for the election of Chairmanship of GCMMF. Till then fingers would remain crossed.