The ruling BJD in Odisha is confident of capturing most of the management boards of the apex cooperative societies in the election held recently.
Though elections to the apex cooperative societies were held on a non-party basis, the BJD claimed that party supported candidates have won in majority of seats uncontested. The State BJP came down heavily on the ruling BJD for openly canvassing for its candidates by putting banners and posters near polling stations.
Accusing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of violating election norms, BJP spokesperson Samir Mohanty said the ruling party used money and muscle power to elect its candidates.
Of the 21 apex cooperative societies, election was held for 17 societies by the State Cooperative Election Commission. However, elections to 11 apex societies were not held as the nominees for the remaining six societies were elected uncontested, reports Indian Express.
The six apex cooperative societies are Odisha State Fishermen Cooperative Federation (Fishfed), Odisha State Cooperative Handicraft Corporation (Utkalika), Odisha Rajya Talaguda Samabaya Sangha Ltd, Odisha Cooperative Coir Corporation Ltd, Odisha ST and SC Development Finance Cooperative Corporation and Mahila Bikash Samabaya Nigam.
The 11 apex societies which went to polls are Odisha State Cooperative Bank (OSCB) Ltd, Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (Omfed), Odisha State Cooperative marketing Federation (Markfed), Odisha Consumer Cooperative Federation (OCCF), Odisha Federation of Urban Cooperative Bank, Odisha State Poultry Products Cooperative Marketing Federation (Opolofed), Odisha Cooperative Housing Corporation (OCHC), Boyanika, Odisha State Tassar and Silk Federation (Serifed), Odisha State Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development (OSCARD) Bank and Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation (TDCC).
Three apex societies including Orissa Cotton Growers’ Co-operative Federation (Cotfed) and Orissa Backward Classes Finance and Development Cooperative Corporation have not fulfilled the conditions for holding election, sources in the State Cooperative Election Commission said.
Election of presidents of the elected board of management of the apex cooperative societies will be held after two weeks, the sources said.
Elections to the apex cooperative societies were last held in 2009. All the cooperative bodies were superseded in 2011 by an amended law of the Cooperative Societies Act. Almost all cooperative bodies were having nominated management till elections were conducted in January, 2015.