‘401 life members added before MCA elections’

Mumbai: The NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar-led Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) election has turned political as former India cricketer and BJP functionary Kedar Jadhav has alleged norms and orders of the Supreme Court (SC) are being flouted and favouritism in adding members. Jadhav alleged the new voter's list released on Dec 25 revealed that 401 new life members were ‘suddenly inducted' to raise the general body's strength from around 150 to over 600. Of the new members, Jadhav alleged 25 members are close relatives or associates of the outgoing apex council members. Another 18 are relatives of Rohit Pawar and 56 members are directly or indirectly connected to him in his business or personal capacity as workers or employees. The list also includes 37 NCP netas, Jadhav alleged. Voting is scheduled on Jan 6. Jadhav who joined the BJP in April last year, filed his nomination papers in the ‘Category A' meant for ‘Patrons, Benefactors, International Players and Life Members'.While Rohit Pawar was not available for comment, an MCA functionary said the matter is sub judice and there is nothing illegal or irregular about the membership. "All new members were inducted as per norms and under a committee led by a senior HC judge. We are fighting the polls on merit. Some people are unnecessarily politicising the issue," a former MCA official said.Jadhav and Kamlesh Thakkar of Latur Cricket Association have filed separate writ petitions in Bombay high court, challenging certain decisions by Rohit. The hearing is scheduled for Monday. The voter list allegedly includes Rohit's wife Kunti Pawar, his father-in-law Satish Magar, Revati Sadanand Sule, daughter of NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, Subhash Gulave of Baramati Agro, among others. The MCA is headquartered in Pune. Scrutiny of candidates was carried out on Saturday.Jadhav said the cricket administration had undergone a major scrutiny under what was famously referred to as the Lodha Committee recommendations which essentially were directed to ensure that dynasties and cozy clubs were not established in cricket administration. "The process followed by the MCA completely flouts all rules and recommendations of SC and in fact appears to be a disgraceful attempt to muscle majority in sports administration. Several key recommendations of the Lodha Committee are blatantly flouted and these members have been made without amending the Constitution and taking leave of SC to do so, which is a directive of SC applicable to BCCI and all the member state associations. A search carried out in this regard reveals that a number of cases filed by other associations including BCCI were ruled upon by SC when amendments or changes in their Constitution were required to be made. All these directives of SC have been thrown into the dustbin and a ‘might is right' approach appears to have been adopted," Jadhav said.Jadhav said another key recommendation of the Lodha Committee was that any office bearer of a cricket association is specifically barred from holding office in any other sports or athletic association but Rohit Pawar has flouted even this directive as he simultaneously holds the post of the president of the Maharashtra State Wrestling Association.