Gujarat Congress Moves Candidates Amid Sumul Dairy Election Tensions
Two weeks before the elections for the Surat-Tapi District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd, commonly known as Sumul Dairy, Congress-backed Pashu Palak Heet Rakshak Samithi (PPHRS) relocated 11 of its candidates to a 'safer place' outside Gujarat. The elections are scheduled for July 15, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) already securing five seats uncontested.
Sumul Dairy is operated by a board of 19 members, of which 16 are elected and three are ex-officio members. The dairy's annual trade turnover for the 2024-25 fiscal year was reported at Rs 6,276 crore. The co-operative comprises 1,039 primary milk producer societies, which include 2.50 lakh members whose presidents vote to elect the board of directors.
Congress leaders claim the relocation was necessary due to 'pressure tactics' from the BJP, whose candidates are contesting under the Sahkar Panel banner. Allegations arose after Ravindra Vasava, a proposer for a PPHRS candidate, went missing, prompting the relocation decision.
The BJP, which has held leadership in Sumul Dairy for the past decade, faces competition for the remaining 11 seats. Among the five uncontested seats, notable wins include Sandeep Desai from Choryasi and Rajesh Pathak from Mangrol. Pathak, one of the uncontested winners, expressed confidence in retaining power, despite some BJP members contesting under PPHRS support.
After the first day of form withdrawal, 40 candidates remain in the fray for the contested seats. The elections were delayed due to local body polls and an Election Commission revision drive, during which a custodian was placed in charge.
Congress criticizes BJP's mandate system, suggesting it fosters corruption. Congress Legislature Party leader Tushar Chaudhary stated, "We will give the BJP a tough fight on the remaining 11 seats." Meanwhile, Congress's Surat district president, Anand Chaudhary, voiced concerns over the missing proposer, emphasizing the need to protect candidates from external pressures.
