Pawar ready to contest again

<div class="section0"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-size:="">BARAMATI: Sharad Pawar is not averse to the idea of recontesting elections to the post of president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Union agriculture minister said he was ready to consider the prospect after hearing the apex court''s observations on the matter. However, this time he is in no hurry, and will first ensure he is in a position to avenge his defeat before entering the fray.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Pawar did not mince words in attacking BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya and the manner in which Dalmiya''s nondescript protege, Ranbir Singh Mahendra, had won the election. He was also unable to hide his bitterness about the way Dalmiya hadengineered to keep two of his (Pawar''s) voters out of the polling process. "Had I received those two votes, I would have won the election," he said.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Pawar''s stance with regard to the BCCI re-election has clearly undergone a change. On Monday morning when he was asked about the BCCI presidentship, he had ruled out seeking the coveted post yet again after his "first-ever defeat, that, too, on technical grounds". </span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">However, the picture seems to have changed suddenly. While hopping from one meeting venue to another in Baramati constituency, Pawar received a sheaf of fax messages. His face lit up when he came to one particular fax. "The supreme court is likely to order a fresh BCCI election," he read out. But he chose to be cautious. He told TOI that he would make up his mind about contesting only after reading the apex court''s actual order. "I will keep the issue open at this moment," he added.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Pawar''s readiness to consider recontesting has boosted the morale of his supporters. After casting his vote in the state assembly elections on Wednesday, Pawar will leave for Delhi. According to a close aide, feelers have been sent out to his followers to assess his chances in another BCCI election, after which he will take a final decision.</span></div> </div>