Who after Chandra Pal has already touched off muted discussions in the cooperative circles as the incumbent NCUI President cannot seek a third term as per the apex co-op body’s byelaws.
“NCUI is not my personal fiefdom and I would be happy to pass on the baton to a deserving candidate; I am happy that I have had smooth sailing so far, though there is still more than two years left for me to go”, said Chandra Pal the incumbent President of the apex co-op body in the country to Indian Cooperative.
In all these years I got support from all the quarters and learnt a lot; I also learnt that NCUI has a presence and prestige not only in India but also in the world. We represent the strongest cooperative movement globally, said a thoughtful Yadav.
But does that not complicate your job-job of finding the right choice for this august office? Yes indeed it does, confessed Chandra Pal. NCUI being an umbrella organization has to carry everybody along and this is easier said than done, he added.
Chandra Pal however assured that he would not rest till he finds an eligible candidate. Let the time come, I will not disappoint you or the movement, he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
He, however, refused to discuss the names quoted as probable candidates by Indian Cooperative. The Governing Council has several cooperators who would qualify for the job but a pan-Indian appeal would perhaps be crucial in this case. That way, Chandra Pal was lucky as his amiable persona and a patient style won the hearts of his detractors too, said a seasoned cooperator.
Even last time I was not a candidate and I myself proposed the name of Bijender Singh, recalled Chandra Pal. It was when VP Singh, the senior cooperator was entrusted with the job of sounding each and every GC member that my name had cropped up-to my surprise as well, Yadav said going down memory lane.
“V P Singh told me that as a majority of the GC members want me to head the organization I have no choice and that is how I became the President”, Chandra Pal summed up.
‘Elections have surprises but except for cooperative elections where the consensus factor invariably moderates these surprises – that is to say only he who is able to win the hearts of a majority carries the day”, Chandra Pal grew philosophical while explaining this.