Amul's Managing Director RS Sodhi, who has been leading the company since 2010, has resigned from the post.

According to media reports, Sodhi put in his papers on January 9. The dairy sector cooperative giant has appointed  COO Jayan Mehta as its MD for an interim period.

Mehta has been associated with Amul for the past 31 years, and is currently its chief operating officer (COO). Earlier, he had served as the company's brand manager, group product manager and general manager in marketing function. Sodhi had first joined Amul in 1982 as senior sales officer. From 2000-2004, he served as its general manager (marketing), and in June 2010, he was elevated as the MD.

Reports claimed that the decision to end Sodhi's tenure "with immediate effect" was taken at the board meeting of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF). 

"As per the 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," reports quoted a communication sent by the board to Sodhi as stating.

The communication was signed by the federation's chairman Shamalbhai Patel and vice chairman Valamjibhai Humbal.

Sodhi, however reportedly claimed that it was his decision to step down.

"My term as MD ended two years back and I was on extension. I had requested the board to relieve me from this responsibility. The board had told me to wait for some time saying they will relieve me once they find a suitable replacement. When I again requested the GCMMF board to relieve me, they finally accepted my request and relieved me today. It was my own decision to step down and I am very happy today," a media report quoted him as saying.