Gujarat: Narayan Lallubhai Patel's reign ends in Unjha APMC, Asha Patel bags 10 seats

Narayan Lallubhai Patel's over two-decades of reign over Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) of Unjha came to an end on Monday, after his son Gaurang Patel lost in the elections. Vikas Panel, led by Unjha MLA Asha Patel bagged 10 seats, and independents won remaining two, while Gaurang Patel's Vishwas Panel failed to get even a single seat. Unjha is Asia's largest trading market for cumin and isabgul and is one of the prestigious APMCs in Gujarat.

Election of 12 directors was held on June 9, and the results were declared Monday by designated election authorities. The Vikas Panel won ten seats while the independents bagged the rest two, said election officer Pratik Upadhyay.

Gaurang Patel, who has been the chairman of the Unjha APMC for the last eight years, also lost, while Dinesh Patel, leader of Vikas Panel got elected. "Unjha APMC is having 15 directors- 12 elected and three nominated. Now, as per rules, a new chairman will be elected in a meeting of directors within ten days," said Upadhyay.

After the elections, Dinesh Patel, who is all set to become the next chairman, said he would work hard to resolve all the issues concerning farmers and traders associated with the APMC. "This APMC belongs to farmers and traders. I will work hard to develop this APMC and resolve various issues concerning them," Dinesh Patel told reporters.

Asha Patel said, this outcome was expected because farmers and traders wanted a change. "Farmers were complaining about vindictive policies and unauthorised collection of funds by the management. Farmers were under fear. This change was necessary to keep this APMC alive," she said.

Amid protests from Narayan Patel, she contested by-polls from Unjha as a BJP candidate and got re-elected as a MLA. Her rise, now marks an end to Narayan Patel's rule in Unjha assembly constituency and Unjha APMC as well.

Rise To Power

A five-time MLA from Unjha, BJP’s Narayan Patel had lost to Asha Patel of Congress in 2017 Assembly polls. Earlier this year, she switched sides and joined the BJP