Joshi pads up for cricketing job

JAIPUR: The battle for premiership of the beleaguered Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) spices up with the Union minister for rural development and panchayati raj C P Joshi joining the Rajsamand Cricket Association, as a treasurer, a month ahead of the forthcoming RCA elections.
Though Joshi denies commenting on his intentions to contest the upcoming polls slated for December 7, saying it's too early to draw any conclusion, he makes it clear that the system needs to be put in place and things need to be changed."I have joined the Rajsamand Cricket Association, but it's too early to say whether or not I'll contest the elections for RCA president. I am busy with the municipal elections at the moment," Joshi told TOI.
After recent infighting between the Sanjay Dixit and Subhash Joshi camps, the RCA body was recently dissolved and fresh elections under the supervision of the Supreme Court observer is to be held on December 7. As the recent fight among the factions has shaken the RCA and also the state cricket, political interference was sought on several occasions and Joshi's entry in a district body merely a few days before the RCA polls makes it more than obvious that he may be in contention for the key post.
But when asked about the sudden foray in to cricket, Joshi said he simply gave into the wishes of his people. "People in my region were putting a lot of pressure on me to join the Rajsamand Cricket Association saying that my presence would make a difference to the system and if that can happen I am willing to give my services," said Joshi.
He maintains that over the last few years, things in state cricket administration are not heading the way they should have been and the game is suffering. "I am of the opinion that the game should not suffer because of the administrative hiccups," he said.
Joshi's name was proposed by Giriraj Sanadhya, secretary, Rajsamand Cricket Association after the treasurer Fateh Lal Tak resigned from his post. "Joshi's election was unanimous, we sought his permission for the same and pleaded that his association will benefit the development of the game in the district and he obliged," says Sanadhya.
While Joshi and officials at Rajsamand Cricket Association refused to comment on contesting for the president's post in the December elections, grapevine has it that he is a strong contender for the position. A source within the RCA says, "You not only need to be an efficient manager but also need to be politically well connected to stay put on this seat and he possesses both qualities. With him joining the district cricket body the possibilities of contesting for the top post can't be ruled out and if that be the case other political leaders who are showing their interest in the state cricketing body will fizzle out."
Joshi is not the only Congressman to join the cricketing bandwagon, it is learnt that Jaipur MP, Mahesh Joshi who was earlier the patron of Jaipur District Cricket Association is now its treasurer. Reports of state revenue minister Hemaram Chowdary too becoming the treasurer of Barmer Cricket Association are coming in. In the tug of war between Sanjay Dixit and the rebel faction both congress leaders were on the opposite sides. With political figures showing interest in state cricket, the election of president will be a match to watch out for.