GCCI election schedule to be out today, may be held in July

Ahmedabad: The elections of the apex trade and industry body of the state, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), may be declared soon and the prospective candidates have started campaigning.

GCCI

elections are likely to be held in the last week of July this year though some may demand that they be conducted in June in line with tradition.GCCI may announce the election schedule on Monday during the executive committee meeting. Usually, GCCI elections are completed in June every year. “According to the rules, current office-bearers can hand over charge till July 31, but traditionally the process is completed through election or selection in June,” said a senior member of GCCI.Meanwhile, prospective candidates have started lobbying for the top posts. According to the constitution of the body, the senior vice-president takes over as the president for the following year. This year, Bhargav Thakkar, Jigish Doshi,

Sanjeev Chhajer

, and

Mihir Patel

may run for the senior VP post. Others did not comment about their candidature but Mihir Patel, a former president of Vatva Industries Association, confirmed that he will contest the election for the senior VP position. “GCCI is doing good work but many issues need to be dealt with,” he said. “They relate to GST, GPCB, and GIDC. These are continuous processes and I will try to make things simpler for industry and trade through dialogue with the government if I am selected.”The vice-president’s post may draw four candidates this year. GCCI textile committee head

Saurin Parikh

, environment committee chairman

Yogesh Parikh

, and senior members Anil Sanghvi and Madanlal Jayswal are the potential candidates, said reliable sources. All the candidates have conveyed their wish to their supporters and have started contacting GCCI members.