Maharashtra CM Defends State Intervention in Gokul Milk Union Elections

Mumbai, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed strong support for the state’s intervention in the recent elections of the Gokul Milk Union, located in Kolhapur. Speaking informally with the media during a Diwali gathering at his official residence, Varsha, on November 10, he addressed the election of Rajesh Patil as president.

Fadnavis explained that a legal impasse had arisen due to one faction holding 13 directors while the opposing group had 12. This imbalance made it impossible to meet the necessary quorum for a fair election. He clarified that if the government’s aim had been to seize control of the board, it would have appointed directors immediately after the elections. Instead, the decision to intervene was made only after it became clear that the quorum could not be achieved.

He noted that the High Court had recently ruled that there were no deficiencies in the government ordinance and directed the election process to proceed while excluding the votes of four nominated members.

Targeting Congress leaders, Fadnavis stated that if Sattej Patil and Hasan Mushrif had reached a consensus, the state government would not have sent its appointed directors. He accused them of politicizing the Gokul elections and even mentioned that Rahul Gandhi had intervened in the matter.

In response to criticism regarding the backgrounds of the appointed directors, Fadnavis defended their selection, asserting that they possessed experience in the cooperative sector. He remarked that having a gynecologist among them should not raise any concerns, emphasizing that even a specialist is just a citizen.

His comments came after the elections for the prestigious presidency were completed. While the High Court has reserved its final decision, it allowed the election process to continue.

After the voting concluded, Rajesh Patil from the Mahayuti alliance emerged victorious, becoming the new president of Gokul. The Mahayuti coalition won by a margin of 16-13 against the panel led by Congress leader Sattej Patil. Despite losing the original election of directors by a narrow 13-12 margin, Mahayuti secured power through the support of four members appointed by the state government.

Fadnavis criticized the protests led by Rahul Gandhi, claiming they aimed to undermine democratic institutions. He accused Gandhi of fostering distrust towards all institutions and questioning the Constitution.

He argued that there is an attempt to create an “ultra-leftist” framework, prompting them to take to the streets in response. Fadnavis stated that Gandhi seeks to replicate the political system of Nepal in India, which is why they have chosen to protest. He asserted that since the opposition refuses to engage in parliamentary debate, they are compelled to respond publicly.

Fadnavis further alleged that Gandhi is attempting to echo trends observed in some European countries by questioning the integrity of institutions like the Supreme Court and the Reserve Bank of India. He claimed that this atmosphere of skepticism necessitates their public demonstrations and vowed to respond to these “intellectual naxals” in kind, asserting that their actions would not have any significant impact.