Amul Dairy has appointed a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman more than three months after the BJP secured its first full majority on the cooperative’s board. The move marks a clear shift in leadership at the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, one of India’s most influential dairy institutions.
Shabhesinh Parmar, a BJP-backed director from Virpur block and a retired army serviceman, took charge as Chairman without opposition. The board elected Vijay Patel as Vice-Chairman.
BJP’s historic majority sets the stage
The leadership election took place 94 days after the results of the Amul Dairy board polls were announced on 12 September. Voting had taken place two days earlier across eight blocks and one individual member seat.
The BJP delivered a historic result in those elections. It won seven of the nine contested blocks. Four candidates secured their seats unopposed. Including the individual member position, the party gained control of 11 out of 13 board seats. This marked the first time the BJP achieved a complete majority at Amul Dairy.
The Congress retained Borsad and narrowly won Kapadvanj. However, its overall influence on the board weakened significantly.
Chairman’s appointment surprises observers
Parmar’s appointment surprised many within the cooperative. Several senior BJP leaders had been seen as stronger contenders for the role. These included Priya Parmar, daughter of former Chairman Ramsinh Parmar, whose move to the BJP in 2017 shifted the political balance within the dairy. Former Chairman Vipul Patel and Rajesh Pathak of Balasinor block were also in contention. Pathak played a key role in the BJP’s strong electoral performance.
Parmar, Pathak and Priya Parmar had all won their board seats unopposed in September.
New leadership outlines priorities
After taking charge, Parmar highlighted the significance of the moment for his region. He noted that the Virpur block had received the Chairman’s post for the first time. He said he would focus on development and take full responsibility during his two-and-a-half-year term.
Vice-Chairman Vijay Patel stressed the need for unity within the board. He said Amul’s global reputation placed a heavy responsibility on the leadership. Patel added that the board would work closely with cattle farmers and take them into confidence.
Implications for Amul and the dairy sector
Amul Dairy plays a vital role in Gujarat’s rural economy and the wider Indian dairy sector. The BJP’s complete control of the board represents a major shift in cooperative politics.
The new leadership now faces high expectations. Farmers, stakeholders and the wider industry will watch closely to see how the board balances political authority with cooperative values. The coming months will show how this mandate translates into policy decisions and farmer outcomes.
