Kolhapur, Maharashtra – In a powerful symbolic gesture ahead of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Federation (Gokul Dairy), Director Shoumika Mahadik has announced her decision to sit among the farmer shareholders rather than on the dais with other board members.
At a press conference on Monday, Mahadik asserted her commitment to representing the grassroots voice of milk-producing farmers, highlighting tensions over governance, transparency, and proposed structural changes within one of Maharashtra’s most influential dairy cooperatives.
🧑🌾 “I Will Sit with Farmers, Not Just Directors”
Her statement comes a day before the AGM and amid recent political developments that saw Navid Mushrif—son of Minister Hasan Mushrif—take over as chairman, reportedly following intervention by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
While Minister Mushrif had expressed hope that Mahadik would join the board members on the dais, she has publicly declined, citing unresolved concerns and a lack of transparency in decision-making.
⚖️ Key Issues Raised by Mahadik
Shoumika Mahadik questioned why the annual report of Gokul Dairy excluded images or mentions of any BJP leaders, despite Mahayuti (the BJP-led alliance) being in power at the cooperative.
She also criticised the board’s alleged plan to increase the number of directors, calling it financially irresponsible:
🏛️ Gokul Dairy: A Politically Charged Cooperative
Often referred to as Gokul, the Kolhapur District Cooperative Milk Federation is one of Maharashtra’s leading dairy cooperatives, with thousands of milk farmers as its shareholders.
The federation has historically been a stronghold of regional political influence, with its leadership often reflecting shifting alliances within state politics.
While Mahadik represents a farmer-first approach, the current leadership under Navid Mushrif is aligned with Mahayuti, raising the stakes for governance, funding priorities, and cooperative democracy.