Shabhesinh Parmar from the Virpur block has been elected unopposed as the new Chairman of the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Limited, popularly known as Amul Dairy, while Vijay Patel was elected as Vice-Chairman. The elections for these leadership positions took place on December 15, 2025, marking the end of a 94-day delay following the board polls. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which secured a complete majority in the dairy's board for the first time in September 2025, nominated both candidates in line with its internal mandate.
The board elections were held on September 10, 2025, with results announced on September 12. BJP-backed candidates won uncontested in four blocks and triumphed in the contested seats, capturing 11 of the 13 positions and establishing dominance over the iconic cooperative. This shift followed years where the Congress had maintained influence, including through former Chairman Ramsinh Parmar, who defected to the BJP in 2017 and held sway until recent changes.
Parmar, retired army personnel representing the Virpur block in the Mahisagar district, emerged as a surprise choice, edging out frontrunners such as Priya Parmar—daughter of Ramsinh Parmar—and former Chairman Vipul Patel. His selection marks the first time a representative from the newly formed Mahisagar district has assumed the chairman's post. Vijay Patel, an individual member who narrowly won his seat in September by one vote and hails from Kheda district, pledged collaborative efforts to uphold Amul's global standing.
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Upon assuming office, Chairman Shabhesinh Parmar emphasised his commitment to the dairy's development over his two-and-a-half-year tenure, noting it as a historic opportunity for the Virpur block. Vice-Chairman Vijay Patel highlighted the responsibility of leading a progressive cooperative that supports thousands of milk producers.
The Kaira Union, founded in 1946 and central to India's White Revolution, remains a cornerstone of the Amul brand under the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF). This leadership transition consolidates BJP's influence in Gujarat's dairy cooperatives, ensuring stability for farmers while navigating the organisation's role as one of the world's leading milk producers' unions.
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