Delhi headquartered national apex body of labour cooperatives- National Labour Cooperative Federation (NLCF) will go to the polls on 12th July but the outgoing Chairman Sanjeev Kushalkar who hails from Maharashtra would not be able to seek re-election as the Multi State Cooperative Act (MSCS) bars him from doing so.
Kushalkar has been the chairman of the apex body for two consecutive terms. It is being heard on the grapevine that he would like to have a chairman of his own choice. It is being said that Kushalkar family has an unheard of grip over the labour co-op movement in the country and nobody can be the Chairman without his “blessings”.
Meanwhile, there is news that Ashok Dabas could face a rival as the director on the board from Delhi seat. There is speculation that Nafed Chairman Bijendra Singh may file his nomination papers to challenge Dabas.
One of the outgoing directors from Goa, V.V.P.Nair is planning to contest the election for Chairman but sources say he will not have a ghost of a chance of winning the contest. Nair has been camping for the last fortnight in Delhi. Many call him a migratory bird who comes to Delhi in election seasons.
Vishwas Sarang, the outgoing director and former co-op minister of Madhya Pradesh is not showing any interest in the election and he would not file the nomination papers, sources are quoted saying.
For the first time in the history of NLCF, seats for women board directors have been reserved.
When Indian Cooperative wanted to talk to the outgoing chairman Sanjeev Kushalkar on Sunday about the election he was not available. An amiable man as well as a hard-boiled cooperator, Kushalkar never fights shy of talking to media. We promise to bring his reactions on the ongoing elections to you sooner than later.
Retired Chief Director, Ministry of Agriculture, Sukhdeo Indoria has been appointed as the returning officer to oversee the election process.
The board comprises of 17 directors out of which 10 seats are reserved for Labour Contract Cooperatives, 5 for Forest Cooperatives, 1 seat for government nominee and 1 seat for woman director.
Over 260 members are eligible to cast the vote during the election. 197 members are from Labour Contract Cooperatives and the rest from Forest labour cooperatives.
As per the election schedule, candidates can file their nominations papers from 2nd to 5th July. Scrutiny and withdrawal of nominations papers would take place on 8th and 9th July. 12th July is the day for the election. The election result would be announced on the same day.
Delegates will come from various states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra, Gujarat, Bihar, UP, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, MP and Himanchal.