NCP heavyweights lock horn in coop sugar mill election

Kolhapur, June 6 (UNI) Elections to the Kagal-based Sadashivrao Mandalik Cooperative Sugar Factory was held today with 90 per cent farmer-voters execising their franchise.

The sugar factory election is a contest of supremacy between two Nationalist Congress Party leaders -- Mr Sadashivrao Mandalik, MP, and Maharashtra Minister of State for School Education Hasan Mushrif.

A total 66 candidates are in the fray for the 23-member board of directors.

The voting was held peacefully and no untoward incidents were reported, police said.

The election to the cooperative sugar factory was held despite NCP chief Sharad Pawar advising Mr Mandalik and Mr Mushrif to find an amicable solution and ensure an unanimous constitution of the board of directors.

Counting of votes will be taken up tomorrow and the results are likely to be declared late in the evening.

UNI