Deelipbhai Sanghani- the mild-mannered cooperator from Gujarat has contested Ashok Thakur on the issue if a co-opted member can fight for Vice-Chairman’s post.
Thakur had earlier alleged that the voter list was released at the last moment. There was name of Dileepbhai in the list even though he is a co-opted member. He cannot vote and he cannot fight, said Thakur to Indian Cooperative.
Thakur even blamed the Returning Officer Mr V P Singh for brushing aside the objection and hinted at a conspiracy.
Known for simplicity among friends Deelipbhai said the cooperative law is clear on the point that a nominated member cannot fight but when it comes to the co-opted the law is silent. Readers would note that Ashok Thakur has been nominated to the Nafed board by the government.
“So far as I know the cooperative laws, nominated members cannot contest though the same law is silent on the issue of co-opted members”, were Sanghani’s words as told to Indian Cooperative.
Readers can recall that Deelip Sanghani had earlier served in Narendra Modi’s cabinet when the latter was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. “Even today he can meet PM on a short notice”, is how one of the cooperators explained Sanghani’s influence to this reporter.
Sunil Kumar Singh the Chairman of Biscomaun and Dileepbhai Sanghani, the Chairman of Nafscob have been elected vice-chairmen of Nafed Tuesday in a keenly contested election.
While Sunil Singh bagged the highest number of votes (17), Sanghani polled 14 votes; the runner up Ashok Thakur was a poor third with just 2 votes.
The 20 member board was sharply divided along factional lines with the duo of Chandra Pal- Bijender on one side and the BJP cooperators on the other. While Sunil was a clear-cut choice, Sanghani though a BJP man had the tacit support of Bijender and Chandra Pal.
Indian Cooperative has learnt that Mohanbhai Kundariya-an old cabinet colleague of Saghani had also thrown his weight behind him.