Dairy farmers marched their cattle to the Kolhapur collectorate on Monday, protesting the government’s decision to grant voting rights to nominated directors of the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, popularly known as Gokul.
The protest follows the October 19 elections to Gokul’s board, in which the Satej Patil-led panel won 13 of the 25 seats, defeating the Mahayuti-backed panel, which secured 12. The government’s decision to nominate directors with voting rights has triggered allegations that the ruling alliance is attempting to gain control of the cooperative despite losing the election. Mushrif denied that there was any ‘ulterior’ motive on the duo’s part about the issuance of the ordinance related to state govt nominated directors Although Chandrakant Patil could not be contacted. Kolhapur MP Shahu Chhatrapati, Sangli MP Vishal Patil, MP Dhairyashil Mohite-Patil and other opposition leaders joined the agitation. Several participants carried black flags and banners opposing the government’s decision.
Former NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil criticised the government’s decision, describing the nominated directors as “test tube babies” and arguing that those who had not contested the elections should not be given voting rights. “The government should withdraw the decision,” he said. “This step was taken to end the prevailing deadlock for the election of the chairman,” said Mushrif.
