Amul Dairy Undergoes Leadership Change Amid BJP's Full Board Control

Amul Dairy, a prominent player in India's dairy sector, has announced new leadership appointments. Shabhesinh Parmar, backed by the BJP, has been appointed as the Chairman, marking a new era for the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union. Vijay Patel has been elected as the Vice-Chairman, emphasizing the BJP's control over the board.

The leadership change comes after the BJP secured a historic full majority in the Amul Dairy board elections. The election results, declared on September 12, showed the BJP winning seven out of nine contested blocks and gaining 11 out of 13 board seats, marking its first full majority in the cooperative's history.

The leadership election took place 94 days after the board poll results, with Parmar assuming the Chairman role without opposition. The new Chairman, a retired army serviceman from the Virpur block, highlighted the significance of the appointment for his region and committed to focusing on development during his two-and-a-half-year term.

Vice-Chairman Vijay Patel has stressed the importance of unity within the board, given Amul's global reputation. He indicated plans to work closely with cattle farmers, aiming to integrate them into the cooperative's future strategies.

The shift in leadership is expected to have a substantial impact on the region's rural economy and the broader Indian dairy sector. The new board will need to balance political authority with cooperative values while addressing the expectations of farmers and stakeholders.

Observers noted that Parmar's appointment was unexpected, as several senior BJP leaders were seen as potential candidates. However, the unanimous selection underscores the party's strategic decision-making within the cooperative.