Uddhav Thackeray phones Satej Patil, backs him in Gokul dairy dispute over four appointed directors

The tussle for control of the Gokul milk union in Kolhapur has intensified. The state government and the Opposition were already locked in a sharp debate over the appointment of four directors. Uddhav Thackeray has now entered the matter.

Uddhav Thackeray, chief of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party, phoned Congress MLA Satej Patil directly and declared his support.

Patil has taken a hard line against the government's decision on Gokul. He alleges that the mandate the voters gave in the election is being set aside, and that an attempt is being made to alter the arithmetic of power through directors appointed by the government.

Against this backdrop, Thackeray spoke to Patil on the phone. According to information available, he assured him: "We are with you to save democracy." It is now being speculated that the fight will not remain confined to Kolhapur and could become an issue in the politics of the whole state.

In the Gokul milk union election, the Rajarshi Shahu Shetkari Samvichari Aghadi, led by Patil, won 13 of the 25 seats. The Mahayuti won 12. However, a question of majority and quorum arose in the process of electing the chairperson.

The state government then decided to appoint four directors. This decision has heated up the political atmosphere. The Opposition says the decision is an attempt to overturn the verdict given in the election.

The matter has also reached the court, which means a legal battle has begun. Separately, Patil has announced a Sangharsh Morcha in Kolhapur on November 9.

In political circles there is also talk of displeasure in the Shinde camp over the decision. This has raised the question of whether there are differences within the Mahayuti over the Gokul issue.

It remains to be seen how much strength Thackeray's support lends to Patil's fight, and what stand the government takes on it.