Ahilyanagar district bank poll: 541 forms picked up, Ram Shinde questions unopposed-election move

Efforts by senior leaders to get the Ahilyanagar District Central Cooperative Bank election held unopposed look set to come undone. While political manoeuvring for an unopposed poll goes on at the top, members of the bank have picked up all 541 candidature forms, a major setback to those efforts.

Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde voiced his displeasure directly. He asked, "How can such a decision be taken without taking everyone into confidence?"

An unopposed election was discussed at a meeting in Sangamner. Speaking on this, Shinde said there was no question of anyone persuading him. In his view, it is the senior leaders who should speak clearly on the matter. He said it is being claimed that a meeting was held in Sangamner and a decision for an unopposed election was taken, but the members' stance is different. He asked why members had taken forms in such large numbers as 541 if consensus on an unopposed poll had already been reached.

Shinde also said the picture is still unclear on the stance of the Mahayuti's key leaders. According to him, the guardian minister's stance too has not become clear so far. Shinde said Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil has stated that he had no information about the meeting. In Shinde's words, on one side the Shiv Sena is holding meetings, while the other constituent parties are not even aware of it. There is no unanimity in what people are saying. He also raised the question of what stand he should take as chairman.

Shinde further said that after the Sangamner meeting he received calls from Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, former minister Shankarrao Gadakh and Vivek Kolhe. But there has been no detailed discussion or decision on the matter since.

Asked about the rule on three children, Shinde said, "I have taken the form after thinking over everything carefully, and it will certainly be filed." He thereby indicated his first election in the cooperative sector. On the issue of crores of rupees in loans and dues at several sugar factories in the district, Shinde said he is contesting a cooperative-sector election for the first time and is not a defaulter of any institution. He said those whose factories carry loans should be asked about it, and that the returning officer will take the final decision.

Explaining the importance of the district bank, Shinde said the bank has a wide reach and very large deposits. In his view the bank is functioning well, and protecting the interests of depositors and farmers is everyone's responsibility. He said the government has shown readiness to help in the current drought conditions, which will greatly benefit the bank and, through it, its members.

On one side, established leaders are holding meetings and stirring activity for an unopposed election. On the other, the number of forms being picked up by members keeps rising. All of Ahilyanagar district is watching what path the senior leaders find in the coming days and what Ram Shinde's next step will be.