RCA polls: Gehlot's role to be keenly watched

JAIPUR: As decks are cleared for PCC president and Union rural development and panchayati raj minister C P Joshi to contest Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) elections, it leaves the field tantalisingly poised. Reports from Joshi camp strongly hints that he may contest the RCA polls. It is yet to be seen as which way chief minister Ashok Gehlot and his camp turns.
Ever since Gehlot returned to power, he has shown keen interest in the cricket association’s affairs and defeat of IPL commissioner Lalit Modi in the previous RCA polls held on March 8 was seen as the outcome of his clout. The then winner Sanjay Dixit was seen as his proxy candidate supported by the Gehlot camp, which was hell bent on elbowing out Modi from Rajasthan’s cricket administration. Fierce infighting among the newly elected body was the prelude to ensuing .
A Congressman says, “They (hinting at the Gehlot camp) were trying to prove their ‘upmanship’ in cricket by doing unlawful deeds and have been put in place by Justice Kasliwal’s verdict. Hope they don’t try and put any more roadblocks in this election.” Joshi had been debarred from contesting the polls by a government-constituted ad hoc committee of the RCA.
Ever since it ousted the IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, in March this year, RCA had become a political battleground where instead of cricket matches legal political battles were being played out.
When Sanjay Dixit was removed from his post, Congress leaders were seen on the opposite side of the line, while revenue minister Hemaram Chowdary was seen alongside Dixit, Congress MP from Jaipur Mahesh Joshi was seen with the rival group.
Later, sensing an opportunity to grab the top post, party leaders headed towards district associations trying to secure a post before the elections were declared. Hemaram became the patron of Barmer Cricket Association, Mahesh Joshi who was the patron of Jaipur District Cricket Association tried become treasurer of the JDCA and C P Joshi took the post of treasurer of Rajsamand Cricket Association after the treasurer vacated the position midway.
A RCA insider says, “Mahesh Joshi tried to sneak in through the backdoor but his status as a treasurer is still not clear as he’s a nominated member and not an elected member. He tried but in vain.”
Divided the partyman stood was clear when the state government appointed body objected to the candidature of their state party president. “This was a bad move, who so ever decided that calculated it all wrong. Either, the CM should have come forward and taken the reigns in his hands or the ad hoc body shouldn’t have opposed the candidature of Joshi,” says a party leader.
The internal rivalry within the party has become the talking point as a member of the Modi faction puts it, “With C P Joshi’s name being cleared for the elections, it will be interesting to see where do Congressmen in the RCA muddle stand, who will stand with whom. Especially, it will be interesting to see Shivcharan Mali’s stand.”
With the nominations beginning on Saturday, what guard does Congress leader take will be interesting to watch?