In the Nafed elections, the list after the withdrawal, though not yet formally announced, has thrown up the names of two candidates who have no challenger and thus stand elected unopposed. They are Dr. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav and Mohanbhai Kundariya.
Both of them are high-profile. Chandra Pal is not only the Chairman of Kribhco but also the President of ICA Asia Pacific, the highest cooperative body in the region. Similarly, Mohanbhai Kundariya is a former Union Minister and a man who played a critical role in salvaging Nafed from the abyss in the wake of tie-up losses in the past.
Dr. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav’s rival Tejash Patel from Gujarat Cooperative Tobacco Growers Federation withdrew his paper, citing party command. It is believed that there is no clear-cut panel, yet a panel under the leadership of Kundariya is at work, sources add.
All four rivals of Kundariya withdrew, paving the way for his unopposed election on the eve of the withdrawal of nominations. They are Sabarkantha DCCB former Chairman Mahesh Bhai, Amarat Bhai Desai, Jashvant Bhai Patel, and Maganbhai Vadaviya.
Ajay Rai, who is a popular co-operator from Varanasi and also on the board of Kribhco, also looks set to emerge victorious as sources say that Kunderiya’s panel has thrown its weight behind him. Besides Ashok Kumar Singh, there are three candidates from Madhya Pradesh who are contesting against Ajay Rai, but he is likely to emerge winner, said sources.
Thus, the final seats where the contest is slated have come down to six.
From Bihar, Biscomaun Chairman and RJD MLC Dr. Sunil Kumar Singh is seeking the next term. BJP has fielded Manoj Kumar Singh, Bihar state co-op cell head, against him. Gujarat has 219 votes, and Manoj is said to have Kundariya’s backing. Yet Sunil has a chance as there are 566 voters. The matter has further been complicated for Sunil as NCCF Chairman Vishal Singh has also filed his nomination from this constituency.
In the constituency representing Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan, outgoing director Jagjit Singh Sangwan may not find it easy to romp home this time.
There may be an intense fight in the Maharashtra seat, from where BJP State level leader Keda Tanaji Aher is standing against Sanjay Holkar.
Besides, a candidate from Karnataka, namely Siddappa S. Hotti, is backed by the BJP, and it is said that he could be elected easily.
As per the final list, out of 21 seats of the board of directors, 15 directors have been elected unopposed, and there will be an election on six seats for which 566 voters are eligible to cast their votes.
The names of those who have emerged victorious include outgoing Chairman Bijender Singh, Dr Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, Mohan Kundariya, NCCF Chairman Vishal Singh, Ashok Thakur Government Nominee, Sekhar Geddam from AP State Co-op Mktg Fed, Deepak Soni from Chhattisgarh Fed, Jethabhai Bharwad from Gujarat Fed, J Ganesan from Haryana Fed, Guranatha Reddy from Karnataka Fed, Alok Kumar Singh from MP Fed, Tarlok Singh from Punjab Fed, Sudhansh Pant from Rajasthan Fed, Mara Ganga Reddy from Telangana Fed, and Rakesh Gupta from UP Co-op Fed.
The polling will be held on 21st May 2024 at the NCUI Auditorium, and the counting of votes and declaration of results will be announced on the same day. The meeting of the newly elected Board of Directors of NAFED will begin at 10:00 am on 22nd May 2024 to elect the office-bearers at the NCUI’s meeting hall.