Gokul milk union chairperson to be elected today; 29 directors to vote, including 4 govt nominees

The election for the chairperson of the Gokul milk union in Kolhapur is to be held today. Voting will take place at 11 am at Gokul's main office in Shirgaon. The election is being discussed in politics across the state.

In the election to the union's board of directors, the alliance of like-minded parties led by Satej Patil won 13 of 25 seats, while the Mahayuti had to settle for 12. The question then was who would get the chairperson's post. The state government subsequently appointed four government directors and also gave them the right to vote. This has changed the arithmetic of the chairperson's election.

After the results, it was widely said that the chairperson's post would go to Satej Patil's alliance. But after the government's decision, it is being said that the whole game has turned around. With the government-nominated directors getting voting rights, the Mahayuti appears to have the upper hand. In protest against this, a large march against the government was held in Kolhapur yesterday, Sunday, November 9.

Ahead of the vote, it is being said that the Mahayuti has settled on a formula for sharing the chairperson's post. Under it, the BJP, Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party are to hold the post for one and a quarter years each. It is said the NCP may get the first chance, then the BJP and finally the Shinde Sena. It is also being discussed that the Jan Surajya Shakti party will hold the post for the remaining period.

Amid talk of the formula being fixed, it is also learnt that Mahayuti leaders do not appear very keen to become the first chairperson. It is said that the climate is currently against the Mahayuti, so leaders are being cautious about taking on the responsibility.

On names, Ranjitsinh Patil is the most discussed from the NCP. He is the son of former MLA K. P. Patil. The name of former MLA Rajesh Patil is also being discussed along with his. From the BJP, the names of Ambrish Ghatge and Dr Chetan Narke are emerging. The name of Ajit Narke had been discussed from the Shinde Sena. The alliance of like-minded parties led by Satej Patil has already put forward Shashikant Chuyekar as its candidate.

In all, 29 people will vote in the election: 25 elected directors and four government-appointed directors. A separate ballot box will be kept for the government-appointed directors. The entire voting will also be video-recorded.

Heavy police deployment has been made around Gokul's office in Shirgaon in view of the election. Police have fixed separate areas for supporters of the Mahayuti and of the alliance of like-minded parties. All of Kolhapur is watching who wins today and who takes charge of Gokul.