Cooperatives hold sway over Bardoli reserved seat

SURAT: Cooperatives play important role in economic and social development of people, particularly in backward areas of the state.

This is why whoever holds the reins of Surat District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (Sumul) and sugar factories in Surat and Tapi districts also gets thrust into the political realm at local or state level.

Bardoli Lok Sabha (ST) seat is a prime example of it. There are 2.63 lakh household members of 1,100 milk cooperatives associated with Sumul in the villages of Surat and Tapi districts. The eight sugar cooperatives in these two districts have 75,000-odd members.

The past three elections have shown that more than the caste equations, it is the members of these cooperatives who decide the fate of political aspirants.

Sumul chairman Raju Pathak said, “The cooperatives were formed for economic prosperity of people. When someone prospers economically thanks to the cooperatives, he or she begins to nurture political ambitions. Cooperative members do play an important part in deciding the fate of politicians here.”

Almost all board members of Sumul are BJP supporters. Tushar Nayak, a local leader working for Dr Tushar Chaudhary, Congress candidate from Bardoli, says, “People are angry with BJP government over the issue of milk procurement rates and income tax demand notices issued to sugar factories.” The sugar factories have income tax dues of over Rs200 crore.

Purnesh Modi, convener of Prabhu Vasava, BJP candidate from Bardoli, told TOI, “There are no local issues in this election here. National security is a key issue and tribal voters are aware about it.”