The general body meeting of the Bardez Bazaar Cooperative Society ended in chaos on Wednesday after members opposed former chairman Dharma Chodankar’s move to conduct proceedings despite a tribunal order restraining him from acting as chairman.
Several shareholders termed the meeting “illegal” and demanded that it be postponed in view of the upcoming elections to the new board of directors, scheduled for October 5.
Shareholder Vijay Bhike questioned the validity of the meeting.
“There is a court order. How can this meeting be held? This illegal meeting has to be called off,” Bhike said.
Another shareholder, Mahesh Rane, echoed similar sentiments, insisting that the general body be adjourned.
“Let elections to the new board be conducted properly, only then should such meetings take place,” he said.
A number of other members also expressed their anger, forcing the adjournment of the meeting.
Defending himself, Chodankar maintained that as per cooperative rules, the meeting was required to be held before September 30.
“There is no issue, we can postpone the meeting as per members’ demands,” he said.
The controversy follows a recent order by the Cooperative Tribunal, which restrained Chodankar from acting as chairman of the Bardez Bazaar Consumers Cooperative Society Ltd, barring him from administering or interfering in the society’s affairs in any manner.
With elections just days away, members said they would not allow any move that undermines the democratic process of electing a new board.
