The race for the post of Mumbai Cricket Association president has taken a political turn with the Congress and the NCP joining hands to take on a Shiv Sena-backed candidate
The race for the post of Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president has taken a political turn with the Congress and the NCP joining hands to take on a Shiv Sena-backed candidate. A day after NCP chief Sharad Pawar announced his withdrawal from the forthcoming biannual election, the agriculture minister’s panel on Wednesday said they will back Congress leader Vilasrao Deshmukh for the post.
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar, who has the Shiv Sena’s support, is the other candidate. Sena’s alliance BJP has also given its support to the Pawar panel.
The Pawar and the Bal Mahaddalkar group, which merged some days ago, during a meeting on Wednesday decided to fight Vengsarkar tooth and nail by vehemently backing Deshmukh, who is MCA vice-president at present. “We will not field any candidate for the MCA president’s post. Instead, we will back Vilasrao Deshmukh. Cricketers retire from the game after they turn 30 or 40. We need professionals and good administrators who can run the office smoothly,” Ravi Sawant, who heads the Mahaddalkar group, told DNA.
The NCP chief’s decision has surprised many as Pawar supporters had earlier alleged that Deshmukh ignored the MCA during his tenure as vice-president. However, insiders revealed that during the last election, Pawar had solicited support from Deshmukh. The former CM enjoyed 50-60 of the 350 votes. This year, it is Pawar’s turn to return the favour.
Pawar, who has been MCA president since 2001, is ineligible to contest as he is not a resident of Mumbai or Thane. The minister had declared himself as a native of Baramati during the 2009 Lok Sabha election. Clause 17 of the MCA constitution says only a resident of Mumbai or Thane is eligible to hold the post of MCA president. Though the Rajya Sabha website says Deshmukh’s permanent address is Latur, the former CM also has proof of residence in Mumbai.
Sources said Pawar feels Deshmukh is the most suitable candidate for the job as his goals are similar to those of the NCP chief and has an administrative understanding of running the MCA. “Pawar’s decision seems to have scuttled Vengsarkar’s chances as a sizeable section is opposed to the cricketer’s candidature,” sources said. “Of the 350 votes, 27 belong to the minorities. We are reaching out to them through various institutions and eliciting support for Deshmukh,” a senior Congress cabinet minister said.
Meanwhile, Sawant, who lost to Ratnakar Shetty for the treasurer’s post last year, will vie for the same position again. Shetty has thrown his hat in the ring for the MCA vice-president’s post this year. He will face opposition from BJP corporator from the H-ward, Ashish Shelar. The battle for the joint secretary’s post will be fought between Nitin Dalal and Dr PV Shetty. The last date to for filing nominations for the July 15 election is July 8.
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