Gokul chairman poll: ordinance likely to give government nominees a vote, Mahayuti may gain control

The politics set off by the election to the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union, known as Gokul, shows no sign of settling. The contest was fiercely fought through campaigning, voting and counting. The Samvichari alliance led by Satej Patil defeated the Mahayuti by 13 seats to 12.

But with such a slim majority, the election of Gokul's chairman is now seeing considerable twists. It is being said that the Mahayuti may play a big card in the meantime. A decision on four government members on the Gokul milk union is likely today. An ordinance may also be issued to give these government members the right to vote in the chairman's election.

If all four government members turn out to side with the Mahayuti, control of Gokul could pass to the Mahayuti. The chairman's election is therefore set to see colourful politics.

What had been anticipated since the first meeting on the chairman's election now appears to be coming true. The Mahayuti's aim was to appoint government members, give them voting rights and thereby tilt control in its favour. Steps are now being taken in that direction. Four government directors will be appointed to Gokul for this.

The names of Shoumika Mahadik, Navid Mushrif and Ashok Pharakate have been finalised as government members. The fourth name is to be decided today after talks with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, according to information available. If all four government members vote for the Mahayuti in the chairman's election, control of Gokul will go to the Mahayuti.

Under the current cooperative law, government members have no right to vote. But the government can issue an ordinance to give them the right to vote in the chairman's election as well. If that happens, the Mahayuti will succeed in drawing control of Gokul to its side.

In the election, 13 directors of the Samvichari panel and 12 of the Mahayuti panel won. Satej Patil's Samvichari alliance thus got a slim majority. But 14 directors are needed to complete the quorum. The Samvichari alliance is one director short, and it appears the Mahayuti has exploited this. All eyes are now on what happens in Kolhapur over Gokul in the next few hours.