news desk – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused BJP of trying to overturn the election mandate of 'Gokul Milk Cooperative' in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Rahul Gandhi claimed the rules were changed after the Congress-led panel defeated the BJP-backed 'Mahayuti' alliance. He alleged that the rules were changed after the elections to gain majority in the Board of Directors.
Sharing the post on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi called it “stealing the votes of milk producers”. He wrote, “Milk producers defeated BJP in Gokul. So BJP changed the rules after the elections. Stuff 4 directors, make 12 16, steal the majority. This is theft of votes of milk producers… adulteration in the mandate. BJP has become so desperate that it is going to any extent to save power everywhere. Remember those who stole the votes of milk producers, farmers do not forget.”
Pawan Kheda also accused Maharashtra government
Earlier, Congress leader Pawan Kheda had also targeted the Maharashtra government over the proposed changes. He alleged that the Maharashtra government is trying to weaken the democratic mandate of the milk producers in the 'Gokul Milk Federation'.
According to Pawan Kheda, in the elections held on October 19, the Congress-led panel had won 13 out of 25 seats, while 'Mahayuti' had won 12 seats. He claimed that the election of the chairman was stopped after a Mahayuti-supported director was absent from the meeting and the Bombay High Court directed re-election on November 10.
He alleged that instead of allowing the elected board to function, the state cabinet has approved a proposal to nominate four government directors who will also have voting rights. Congress claims that this can change the electoral equation and the mandate of milk producers can be overturned.
Pawan Kheda said that Congress is challenging this decision in the Supreme Court and the democratic mandate and autonomy of cooperative institutions will be protected.
What is the whole matter of Gokul Milk Cooperative elections?
The matter is related to the victory of Congress led Rajarshi Shahu Shetkari Samavichari Aghadi. This panel was led by senior Congress leader Satej Patil. In the election of the board of directors of Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Producers Union i.e. Gokul Dairy, this panel won 13 out of total 25 seats, while the BJP-backed Mahayuti alliance got 12 seats.
The grand alliance includes BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP. The election results were officially announced on 19 October. This result was seen as a setback for the ruling coalition. The purpose of the election was to determine control over the board of directors of the Cooperative Milk Producers Union. This association works under the name of Gokul Dairy brand.