Low attendance at GCCI meet opens the Pandora ’s Box

One could try to justify the low attendance by saying the members were busy in completing the financial closure process of their companies. But critics have pointed out that closure of accounts is basically an accountant’s job.

Some members of the Chamber alleged the GCCI was being run by GMs Girish Dani and Mayur Desai. Dani is a former president of GCCI and a Narendra Modi loyalist,while Dr Mayur Desai is a medical practitioner and son in-law of former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel.

“The duo and their supporters have brought about a constitutional change at the EGM by which a contestant for the post of president must have his proposal endorsed by three past presidents,” said a former functionary of the Chamber.

He said the trap lies in the fact that two of any three past presidents are invariably close to Dani and company,and they will not do anything without first asking Dani and Desai. “So in effect,the new president of the GCCI functions as a puppet,” said sources.

A presidential aspirant and very senior functionary,however,disagreed to this. He said there is nothing wrong if Dani and Desai guided the chamber as they are experienced and senior. The final decision is,however,taken by the president and his team,he added.

The aspirant also justified endorsements by the three past presidents. “What is the use of a man as GCCI chief who is not known to even three past presidents?” he added.

Dr Desai was unavailable for comments,but Dani said there was nothing undemocratic with endorsements and “even the candidate for the post of the President of India needs to be endorsed by 10 MPs and the candidate for Rajya Sabha by 10 MLAs”.

Dani said the low attendance did not matter much. “Even in AGMs of large corporate houses like Reliance,not all are present. More than 150 members out of 4,000 were present at the meeting which shows that the affairs of the Chamber are being run smoothly,” said Dani.

He also refuted allegations that he and Desai were managing the GCCI through the backdoor.

He said: “These allegations are motivated. If we manage things through the backdoor,what will stop us from doing so in the open?”