Navid Mushrif Elected Gokul Chairman, Shocking Setback for Satej Patil in Kolhapur

A significant political development has emerged from the cooperative sector in Maharashtra, particularly in Kolhapur. In a major setback for senior Congress leader and former minister Satej alias Bunty Patil, Navid Mushrif—son of senior NCP leader and state minister Hasan Mushrif—has been elected as the new chairman of the Gokul Milk Federation (Kolhapur Zilla Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh Ltd.).

This shift in leadership marks a dramatic change in the power dynamics of the region’s cooperative sector, where Patil had held influence over Gokul for many years. The election outcome has not only surprised political observers but also stirred the political landscape of western Maharashtra.

Navid Mushrif, who had returned to Kolhapur from abroad just before the election, secured the top post despite initial opposition from his father. Hasan Mushrif had reportedly objected to Navid’s candidacy, yet his name was ultimately confirmed, indicating high-level political involvement in the selection process.

The Gokul Milk Federation holds considerable clout in the rural politics of Kolhapur, making the chairman's post a strategically important position. The developments attracted attention from the top echelons of state politics, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar reportedly taking a keen interest in the proceedings. Hasan Mushrif, who played a central role in the coordination efforts, is already a prominent figure in Kolhapur's cooperative and political scene.

With Navid Mushrif now at the helm of Gokul and Hasan Mushrif serving as chairman of the Kolhapur District Central Cooperative Bank, the Mushrif family has consolidated significant control over the district’s cooperative institutions. This dual leadership is expected to influence local politics and rural economic dynamics in the coming years.