Kolhapur, 10 Nov (HS): Former MLA Rajesh Narsing

Patil, a leader of NCP in Mahayuti was elected as the chairman of Kolhapur

District Cooperative Milk Producers Union (Gokul). Rajesh Patil got 16 votes,

while Congress-led alliance candidate Shashikant Anandrao Patil

Chuyekar got 13. The Mahayuti was able to gain power over the Gokul as four

government-appointed directors were given the right to vote.

In the elections held for 25 directors posts of

Gokul, 13 directors of Congress like-minded alliance were elected while

Mahayuti got 12 seats. As a result, the Congress-aligned coalition had a brute

majority. The election of the chairman required the presence of at least 14

directors. However, the first meeting was adjourned due to lack of quorum as

all 12 directors of the Mahayuti were absent. To resolve the impasse, the state

government promulgated an ordinance empowering government-appointed expert

directors to vote in the election of the chairman. Accordingly, four expert

directors were appointed on Gokul. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance

opposed the government's decision. Along with the protest march, the decision

was also challenged in court. However, the decision of the High Court in favour

of the Grand Alliance paved the way for the election of the chairman.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar