Gokul Chairman Election 2026 has ended with a dramatic twist. On 10 November 2026, former NCP MLA Rajesh Narsingrao Patil was elected chairman of the Kolhapur Zilla Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh, better known as Gokul, by 16 votes to 13. He defeated Shashikant Patil-Chuyekar, the candidate of Congress leader Satej (Banti) Patil’s panel – even though Satej Patil’s side had won more elected seats in October.
This Election Guru report explains the full result, how the Mahayuti reached 16 votes, the role of the four government-nominated directors, the High Court order, the power-sharing formula and what happens next in Gokul, the dairy cooperative that touches almost every village of Kolhapur district.
Gokul Chairman Election 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution | Kolhapur Zilla Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sangh Ltd. (Gokul) |
| Chairman election date | 10 November 2026 |
| Winner | Rajesh Narsingrao Patil (Mahayuti – Chhatrapati Shahu Shetkari Vikas Aghadi) |
| Votes | 16 |
| Runner-up | Shashikant Patil-Chuyekar (Rajarshi Shahu Shetkari Samvichari Aghadi) – 13 votes |
| Returning Officer | Mosami Chougule |
| Venue | Gokul head office, Gokul Shirgaon, Kolhapur |
Gokul Chairman Election 2026 Result
The chairman election was held at Gokul’s head office in Gokul Shirgaon under Returning Officer Mosami Chougule. All 25 elected directors and four government-nominated directors voted. With more than 600 police personnel deployed around the premises, the vote was video-recorded and counted immediately.
| Candidate | Panel | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajesh Narsingrao Patil | Chhatrapati Shahu Shetkari Vikas Aghadi (Mahayuti) | 16 | Won |
| Shashikant Anandrao Patil-Chuyekar | Rajarshi Shahu Shetkari Samvichari Aghadi (Satej Patil) | 13 | Lost |
How Mahayuti Won Gokul Without a Majority
In the Gokul board election held on 18 October 2026 (results on 19 October), Satej Patil’s panel won 13 of the 25 seats and the Mahayuti panel won 12. But electing a chairman needs a quorum of 14 directors. The Mahayuti directors stayed away from the 29 October meeting, so it could not be held.
The state government then issued an ordinance allowing government-nominated directors with voting rights on large cooperatives. Four such directors were appointed to Gokul. With 12 elected Mahayuti directors plus the four nominees, the ruling alliance reached 16 votes against Satej Patil’s 13.
Role of the Four Nominated Directors
The four government-nominated directors are Dr Praveen Hendre, Shivaji Adnaik, Krishnat (K. D.) Patil and Adv. Prashant Patole – one from the quota of each Mahayuti constituent. They can vote but cannot become chairman or vice-chairman. All four voted for Rajesh Patil, according to reports.
Also Read: Gokul Nominated Directors 2026: Who Are the 4 Government Directors?
High Court Order: Result Subject to Final Decision
Satej Patil’s side challenged the ordinance and the appointments in the Bombay High Court. On 9 November 2026, the court refused to stay the chairman election but ordered that the votes of the nominated members be kept in a separate ballot box, that the process be video-recorded, and that the result remain subject to the final decision on the petition. The next hearing was listed for 25 November 2026.
Mahayuti Power-Sharing Formula in Gokul
BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik announced Rajesh Patil’s name and said the NCP would hold the chairmanship for the first year, with the post to be discussed again next year. Reports say Mahayuti plans to rotate the post among its constituent parties. Mahadik also credited Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with breaking the deadlock and said Gokul should not become a “D Y Patil Milk Union” – a jibe at Satej Patil, whose father is Dr D. Y. Patil.
Why This Result Is Historic for Chandgad
Rajesh Patil is the former MLA of Chandgad. Reports note that this is the first time in 63 years that Gokul’s chairmanship has gone to Chandgad taluka. In his first reaction, Patil thanked dairy farmers, appealed to rivals to “forget what happened” and said he would work to restore Gokul’s prestige and make up for last year’s losses.
Also Read: Who Is Rajesh Patil? Gokul New Chairman Biography
Satej Patil Camp’s Reaction
Satej Patil has called the ordinance an attack on democratic values and accused the government of using appointed directors to overturn the farmers’ verdict. A day before the vote, he led a massive Sangharsh Morcha in Kolhapur. His camp is now pinning its hopes on the High Court’s final ruling.
Also Read: Gokul Sangharsh Morcha 2026: Why Kolhapur Is Boiling
What Happens Next in Gokul
- High Court hearing: The final decision on the ordinance and nominated directors’ votes will decide whether the 16-13 result stands.
- Vice-chairman post: The board will also need to fill the vice-chairman post.
- Milk price and losses: The new chairman has promised to focus on farmers’ trust and recovering last year’s losses.
- Rotation: The chairmanship is expected to rotate within Mahayuti after the first year.
Gokul Chairman Election 2026 FAQ
Who won the Gokul Chairman Election 2026?
Former NCP MLA Rajesh Narsingrao Patil of the Mahayuti-backed Chhatrapati Shahu Shetkari Vikas Aghadi won the Gokul chairman election on 10 November 2026.
What was the vote count in the Gokul chairman election?
Rajesh Patil received 16 votes and Shashikant Patil-Chuyekar of Satej Patil’s panel received 13 votes.
How did Mahayuti win Gokul with only 12 elected directors?
Four government-nominated directors with voting rights were appointed under a state ordinance. Their four votes plus the 12 elected Mahayuti directors gave Rajesh Patil 16 votes.
Is the Gokul chairman election result final?
The Bombay High Court allowed the election but ordered the nominated directors’ votes to be kept in a separate ballot box, so the result is subject to the court’s final decision.
Which party will hold the Gokul chairmanship first?
According to BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik, the NCP will hold the chairmanship for the first year, after which the post will be discussed again within Mahayuti.