Lobbying intensifies among four heavyweights for Sabar Dairy Chairman post

Political heat has reached a crescendo over the elections for the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Sabar Kanth District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Limited (Sabar Dairy), which ranks among Asia's leading dairies and serves as the lifeline for millions of cattle rearers in North Gujarat. Intense tug-of-war is underway among four strong contenders for the post of Chairman, leading to the immediate summoning of all members of the Board of Directors to Gandhinagar. This development has caused a stir in the cooperative politics of the entire state, including Sabarkantha and Arvalli.

Four main contenders are in the fray for the post of Sabar Dairy Chairman. These include former Chairman and veteran of cooperative politics Jethabhai Patel, Vipul Patel who possesses a strong hold over the organisation and directors, Bhogilal Patel who is active in the local cooperative network, and Manibhai Patel who is in contention as a senior director. Additionally, names of other leaders such as Kantibhai Patel (Bhiloda) representing the tribal belt, Shamalbhai Patel (Modasa) a well-known name in the Arvalli cooperative circle, and Kantibhai Patel (Dhansura) a prominent figure from the Dhansura area, are also being discussed. According to a report by TV9 Gujarati, there is discussion that four other contenders have entered the fray against the current Chairman, Shamal Patel.

Recently, BJP observers conducted a 'sense-making' process among all directors to select the new office-bearers of Sabar Dairy. However, the matter has become complicated as no single name received unanimous support even after the sense-making process was completed. Different groups made representations to the observers in support of their respective leaders. As a consensus could not be reached, the final decision has been left to the party's state executive committee and the high-level cooperative leadership of the government. Senior BJP leaders in Gandhinagar will attempt to avoid factionalism and achieve consensus by holding a meeting with all directors. Directors may be instructed to officially endorse the name mandated by the party to ensure no internal opposition or cross-voting occurs during the board meeting.

The election is scheduled to be held on 26 November. Meanwhile, several discussions are also taking place regarding the administration and the centre of power in the dairy. According to claims by local sources, attempts were made to keep certain directors in favour to reinstate the current Chairman, Shamal Patel, and there is discussion that offers of up to ₹1 crore were made to directors for this purpose. There are also reports that this meeting took place in a well-known contractor's godown, although there has been no official confirmation regarding this financial offer. During the sense-making process, Bhadra MLA Dhavalsinh Zala indirectly questioned the role of contractors in the dairy's administration by stating, 'Let Sabar Dairy remain, let it not become Babu Dairy'.

In political circles, the discussion regarding the name 'Babu' is being linked to Babu Purohit. Allegations are being made that despite Shamal Patel being the Chairman for over a decade, Babu Purohit has played a role in important decisions from behind the scenes. It is alleged that Babu Purohit, who joined as a small trader in Bardan in 2007, has gradually increased his influence over various dairy contracts over time. Claims are being made regarding his interference in matters ranging from Sabardaan, Kat Feed contracts, and transportation arrangements to employee appointments and sample processes in the laboratory. Official confirmation regarding all these matters is still awaited.

Sabar Kanth District Co-operative Milk Producers Union Limited, known as Sabar Dairy, is an extremely important cooperative institution economically for millions of cattle rearers in North Gujarat. It holds a position among Asia's leading dairies.