Will Narhari Amin make a prodigal comeback at GCA?

Ever since Narhari Amin joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before the state assembly elections late last year, the former deputy chief minister has making a good ground in the saffron party. Amin’s progress in BJP ranks has picked up pace as Central Board of Cricket Ahmedabad (CBCA) members are scheduled to assemble on Saturday.

This will be their first meeting after the annual general meeting (AGM) held in November 2012. If sources in the CBCA are to be believed, among other issues, the meet will be convened to finalise either Amin or one his supporter’s name for co-opted membership.

Co-opted members are selected rather than elected members of the board.

Currently, Amin represents Kheda district. He had joined his friend, Congress leader and union minister Dinsha Patel in Kheda in 2007 after a strong opposition supported by Amit Shah displaced him from CBCA and eventually at Motera Stadium as well. However, equations seem to have changed after Amin joined the saffron fold in December 2012.

Moreover, with his greater association to chief minister and Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) president Narendra Modi, there is a strong buzz that the former GCA president will actively get involved in the state cricket administration, once again.

While GCA has provision for two co-opted members, its affiliate CBCA has provision for up to three. Since 2009, Modi, GCA secretary Rajesh Patel and GCA media manager Jagat Patel had been the three CBCA co-opts. However, in November 2012, after Rajesh Patel successfully contested CBCA elections, one co-opt membership in the body has been lying vacant.

There is a co-opt vacancy in GCA too. Parimal Nathwani is currently the only co-opted member in the state-level body.

“With Rajeshbhai being an elected member now, co-opt membership will also be discussed (at the meet). There are high chances that Amin or a supporter of his will be inducted to that post. In addition, names of the eleven members who will represent CBCA in the parent body (GCA) will also be finalised,” said an insider.

When contacted Amin said he wasn’t aware of any such development. “It is a CBCA matter and I have no clue about it,” he replied.

CBCA is considered to be the strongest organ of GCA with 11 of its members among the 26 in GCA’s executive committee.