Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) vice-president resigns

The wide rift between office bearers of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) over inviting congressman Digvijay Singh for the export promotion award function has become apparent with Rakesh Shah's resignation from the post of the chamber's vice president.

Rakesh Shah, chairman and managing director of Gujarat State Export Corporation Ltd (GSECL), tendered his resignation from the post of vice president of GCCI on Monday. Shah tendered his resignation to the secretary general of GCCI.

It is believed that dispute over inviting general secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Digvijay Singh as chief guest to an export promotion award function was the root cause of Shah's resignation. Many executive committee members were not in favour of inviting Singh to the function.

Moreover, it was also believed that the chamber's decision to invite Singh was also not received well by the state government.

According to sources, minister of state for industry and energy Saurabh Patel denied to attend the function on March 6. Moreover, none of the chamber's office bearers showed willingness to propose vote of thanks at the function. As a result, the function was declared over without proposing a formal vote of thanks, said sources close to the development.

GCCI president, Rupesh Shah confirmed that the chamber had received Rakesh Shah's resignation.

"We have not accepted his resignation as yet," he said. The chamber office bearers as well as the powers that be are trying to convince Shah to reconsider his decision and withdraw his resignation.

When contacted, Rakesh Shah denied having resigned from the post of vice president of GCCI.

It should be noted that term of the current office bearers of GCCI will end in July 2010. Meanwhile, GCCI has decided June 5, 2010 as tentative date of election. However, this date is yet to be approved by the chamber's executive committee.

The election may hit roadblock because of Gujarat Chamber Annyay Nivaran Committee's decision to challenge amendments in the constitution of the chamber in the chief metropolitan court.

Moreover, after the court's decision to summon eight industrialists including industrialists finding place in Forbes' list of richest person in the world, there is little possibility that any big-wig of the industry come forward to take the top position of apex body of trade and industry in the state.