In a sudden development, the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), which markets its products under the brand name ‘Amul’, on Monday ousted its long-serving managing director R.S. Sodhi but did not give any reason.

However, Sodhi said he had requested the federation’s board to relieve him of his duties. The federation’s chief operating officer Jayenbhai Mehta has been given the interim charge as MD.

Sodhi, who has been associated with the federation for more than four decades, put in his papers soon after the board asked him to relinquish the charge. While the reason for the sudden move could not be immediately ascertained, Sodhi said he was on an extension and had requested the board to relieve him from the responsibility of the MD.

At the federation’s board meeting held at the premises of AmulFed dairy in Gandhinagar on Monday, it was decided to end the services of Sodhi.

“According to resolution no.2 of the board meeting, it was proposed to end your service as the federation’s MD with immediate effect. Thus, you are hereby directed to relinquish your charge as MD with immediate effect and hand it over to federation COO, Jayenbhai Mehta,” said a communication sent by the board to Sodhi.