The two-term Amul director, Juvansinh Chauhan officially joined the Congress party today along with his supporters. Chauhan quit the BJP after saying that political interference of BJP is finishing off the co-operative sector in Gujarat.
Expressing his frustration Chauhan stated that “I was fed up with the BJP’s interference and politicking within AMUL Dairy, which is internationally renowned in the co-operative sector.” He cited the BJP’s dictatorial attitude, authoritarianism, arrogance and lack of support for co-operative functioning as the reasons behind his departure. Having served as Director for two consecutive terms, Chauhan emphasised Gujarat’s reputation for its successful co-operatives.
Chauhan further revealed that “I repeatedly requested the BJP to cease interfering in the day-to-day administration of AMUL, but my suggestions were disregarded.”
Highlighting the importance of co-operatives in Gujarat Chauhan lamented that BJP favours a select group of capitalists over the co-operative sector. As a result, the party has consistently worked to undermine the co-operative movement and institutions in the state.
Welcoming Juvansinh Chauhan and his supporters into the Congress, Gujarat Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil emphasised the noble intentions behind AMUL’s establishment which aims to elevate Gujarat and India after independence. Gohil stressed that the co-operative movement serves as an exemplary model for generating local employment and empowering women.
Expressing concerns over the BJP’s systematic dismantling of successful cooperatives in Gujarat through political interference and the misuse of power, Gohil pointed out various issues such as collapsing bridges, rampant corruption, the dire state of farmers, youth unemployment, fixed pay problems, outsourcing, and mismanagement in both urban and rural areas. In response, the Congress launched a Seva Yagna (service campaign) to protect Gujarat’s identity, or Asmita. As part of this initiative, several individuals, including Vashram Sagathiya, Vice President of the Aam Aadmi Party on June 21, Manoj Bhuptani, Regional Vice President of AAP on July 5 and Haresh Kothari, AAP’s State Secretary on July 13 have joined the Congress along with their supporters.
During the welcoming ceremony, prominent leaders of the Gujarat Congress, including Shailesh Parmar, Bimal Shah, Natwarsinh Thakor, Kalusinh Dabhi, Manish Doshi, Hiren Banker, Bhikha Rabari, Chandrashekhar Dabhi, Sudhaben Chauhan, Dilip Sodhaparmar, and Baldevbhai Luni, were present to extend a warm welcome to Juvansinh Chauhan. Former Vice Chairman and current AMUL Director Rajendrasinh Parmar, as well as Congress leader and AMUL Director Sanjay Patel also graced the occasion.
