Shiv Sena (Shinde), Congress forge rare alliance for Bhandara milk union polls
The development drew attention across party lines, with leaders calling the move a practical collaboration aimed at reviving the struggling cooperative institution.
Shiv Sena MLA from Bhandara, Narendra Bhondekar, and former Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president
Nana Patole
made a joint appearance in Bhandara to announce the alliance. Both leaders clarified that the move was not a political alliance but a strategic step to protect the interests of milk-producing farmers in the region.
"This cannot be called a political coalition as cooperative polls are not fought on party symbols," Patole told TOI. "We have joined hands only to revive the functioning of the Bhandara milk union, which is collapsing due to administrative negligence and vested interests. We want a clean, farmer-centric cooperative governance model," the Sakoli MLA said.
Bhondekar, echoing the sentiments, launched a veiled attack on former cooperative leaders, blaming them for the milk union's current financial mess.
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"Those who once called themselves 'Sahakar Maharshi' drove the union to crisis. We are here to restore confidence among farmers who lost trust in the cooperative sector," he said.
A total of 25 candidates are contesting for 13 director posts in the upcoming polls. Monday marked the last day for the withdrawal of nominations.
Patole indirectly hit out at NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) working president Praful Patel, alleging that his supporters had weakened the Gondia milk federation and were now targeting the Bhandara cooperative.
"We won't allow Bhandara's dairy sector to go the same way as Gondia's. This alliance is a safeguard," he said.
Political observers see the move as a tactical shift in Bhandara's local power equations, especially with elections for the District Central Cooperative Bank and municipal bodies expected in the coming months. Both leaders, however, downplayed such interpretations. Patole said decisions on future collaborations would depend on feedback from party workers.
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