Ex-minister's hopes to become GCMMF chairman shattered

Former minister in Gujarat government Shankar Chaudhary's all attempts went in vain when the former MLA Ramsinh Parmar was elected unanimously as the chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) on Monday. Chaudhary had, in fact, thrown his hat into the circle for this position and tested his political clout too. However, his dream turned into a nightmare when he was said 'no' by a BJP bigwig, said a party leader who is also in the cooperative sector.

The BJP leader said, "Shankar Chaudhary had held a meeting with all members of the board of GCMMF and had taken them in confidence to propose his name for the post of chairman. However, his attempts were made futile as the leadership was not convinced of his name. Chaudhary himself was asked to propose the name of Parmar in stead, and Parmar was elected unanimously as most of the leaders of milk producing societies in state are from BJP."

Chaudhary also was believed to be a front-runner contestant in this race for the post of GCMMF chairman. He is chairman of Banaskantha District Cooperative Milk Producer's Union. He lost the assembly polls against Congress candidate Geniben Thakor from Vav seat and has been trying hard to keep his political influence intact in the party after the poll debacle. It is necessary for him to be on influential position and that is why he was putting his force for the GCMMF elections.

"Parmar had defected to BJP from Congress and was given ticket from Thasra seat too, but lost badly. As he is the big leader in Central Gujarat and can help party during Lok Sabha elections, so it was necessary for the party to appoint him somewhere, so this decision was taken. Chaudhary, obviously due to proximity with Anandiben Patel in past, has to suffer a loss," added the BJP leader.

The senior minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama was appointed a responsibility to look after this elections on behalf of the government. He, however, said that Chaudhary was not the only contender in the race. Chudasama said, "All the 18 chairman of district cooperative milk unions were capable to assume this post. Chaudhary is a youthful and important leader of BJP. Our party organisation is very large and so is the government. He will be appointed at the proper place on appropriate time and there is no doubt on that."

Meanwhile, the BJP leaders also have been trying to convince Chaudhary to contest polls for Banaskantha District Panchayat, but Chaudhary did not agree.

RACE FOR ACE

• Chaudhary also was believed to be a front-runner contestant in this race for the post of GCMMF chairman.
   
• Senior minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama was appointed a responsibility to look after this elections on behalf of government.
   
• BJP leaders also have been trying to convince Chaudhary to contest polls for Banaskantha District Panchayat.