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BJP Faces Rebel Challenge in Gujarat Sugar Cooperatives
Gujarat has many sugar cooperatives, which are businesses owned and managed by farmers.
The BJP had controlled most of their boards for about ten years.
Recently, groups containing BJP rebels and Congress members defeated BJP-backed groups at two cooperatives.
At Bardoli Sugar, the challengers won 13 of 15 seats.
Some people say political parties have become too involved in cooperative elections.
BJP leaders say party rules and mandates are needed to keep their workers disciplined.
The BJP still controls several other cooperatives, but its support has weakened in some places.
The contests are also happening while farmers face higher costs, lower returns and less farmland.
BJP-backed panels lost control of Bardoli Sugar and Sayan Sugar in recent elections.
At Bardoli Sugar, the Kisan Parivartan Panel won 13 of 15 seats, ending the BJP’s 20-year hold.
The winning Bardoli panel included BJP rebels and Congress candidates, and defeated BJP MLA Ishvar Parmar.
The BJP retained cooperatives at Bharuch, Gandevi and Kamrej, though its seat share declined at Kamrej.
Party leaders are seeking compromises before upcoming elections at Madhi, Mahuva and Chalthan cooperatives.
- Who
- The BJP, BJP rebels, Congress candidates, cooperative members and farmer panels are involved; named figures include Ishvar Parmar, Mansinh Patel and Ishwarsinh Patel.
- What
- BJP-backed panels have lost ground in Gujarat sugar cooperative elections, including losing control at Bardoli Sugar and Sayan Sugar.
- Where
- The elections concern sugar cooperatives mainly in South Gujarat, including Bardoli and Sayan in Surat district, and cooperatives in Bharuch, Navsari and other districts.
- When
- The reported elections were held in August; the Mahuva election was scheduled for September 27, with other elections due in the following weeks.
- Why
- The results reflect internal BJP divisions and opposition to increased political involvement, alongside economic pressures affecting South Gujarat’s sugar sector.
Critics of political involvement
BJP defenders
Party mandates in cooperatives
Critics of political involvement
Critics say cooperatives were created as a social responsibility for farmers and should not be controlled by political parties; they oppose the use of party mandates in elections and appointments.
BJP defenders
The BJP says mandates were introduced to maintain discipline among party workers and control rebel leaders, noting that most candidates are BJP functionaries or supporters.
Meaning of the election results
Critics of political involvement
Opponents and some cooperative figures view the defeats at Bardoli and Sayan as evidence that farmers and members are resisting politicisation and internal BJP interference.
BJP defenders
BJP leaders say the contests reflect internal divisions and acknowledge that cooperatives have become politically important because they connect thousands of farmers with the government.
Cooperative leadership
Critics of political involvement
Critics argue that cooperative bodies should be run independently and without party interference.
BJP defenders
BJP-backed leaders defend their performance by citing management achievements, including investment to help save Coper Cooperative Sugar from being sold to private players.
Key facts
- Operational cooperatives
- The BJP had dominated the boards of Gujarat’s 13 operational cooperative sugar factories for at least a decade.
- Bardoli result
- The Kisan Parivartan Panel won 13 of 15 seats, while the BJP-backed Sahkar Panel won two.
- Bardoli history
- Bardoli Sugar was founded in 1955 and had been under BJP control for 20 years.
- Sayan result
- The BJP-backed Vikas Panel won six of 18 seats; the Parivartan Panel won nine and Independents won three.
- Other BJP victories
- The BJP retained control at Bharuch, Gandevi and Kamrej cooperatives.
- South Gujarat concentration
- Of Gujarat’s 23 sugar cooperatives, 20 are in South Gujarat, including eight in Surat district.
- Bardoli crushing
- Bardoli’s cane crushing reportedly fell from about 17 lakh metric tonnes three years ago to 11.51 lakh metric tonnes this year.
Quotes
Bhavesh Patel
Former Surat District Panchayat president and outgoing Bardoli Sugar vice-chairman
“In the sugar cooperative election, over 95% of candidates in the poll fray are BJP functionaries and supporters. As the members displayed indiscipline, the mandate procedure was introduced to put control on party rebel leaders”
indianexpress.com
“I have been vice-chairman for the last two terms in Bardoli Sugar, and this is the first time Parivartan Panel candidates (BJP rebel and Congress candidates) won with majority”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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