Heavyweight-backed panels for GCA polls

Panaji: The battle for control of the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) will be a straightforward contest between panels backed by former presidents Chetan Desai and Vinod Phadke at one end, and BCCI joint secretary Rohan Gauns Desai at the other.On Thursday, when the time for withdrawals ended, there were 13 candidates left in the fray. Twelve of them belonged to the two panels, while the secretary’s post will see an additional contestant in former Goa vice captain Hemant Pai Angle. All other posts will be contested by six members from each panel with Mahesh Desai, a former Ranji Trophy cricketer who lost the last election narrowly, taking on Mahesh H Candolkar – currently president of the Goa Chess Association – for the top post.At the last election in 2022, Mahesh, brother of former GCA president Chetan, was the only panel member who lost the battle by a mere three votes against Vipul Phadke, son of another former president, Vinod. Four of the five emerged victorious with Rohan Desai, backed by the state govt, previously elected unopposed.Chetan and Vinod have now joined hands and are confident that all their men will get elected.“All of us are together and we have been left in no doubt that our panel members will get elected with a big margin,” Chetan told TOI on Thursday. “In the other panel, there are candidates who don’t have any clubs with them. It’s become a matter of survival (in the GCA) for them.”Chetan said some legislators, govt officials and office bearers of political parties are trying to influence clubs. “I don’t think that will have any bearing. There is no proxy voting now, and the club officials have full freedom to choose a candidate of their choice. I am certain they will vote sensibly,” he said.The other panel enjoys the backing of BCCI joint secretary Rohan Gauns Desai.The Bombay High Court had earlier set aside the GCA elections originally scheduled for August 24, directing that fresh polls be held instead on Sept 16. The ruling came in response to a petition filed by joint secretary Rupesh Naik and four others, who alleged procedural violations.Final candidates list: President: Mahesh Desai, Mahesh H Candolkar; vice-president: Paresh G Fadte, Rajesh Patnekar; secretary: Daya Pagi, Hemant Pai Angle, Tulshidas Shetye; joint secretary: Anant Shambhu Naik, Sushant G Naik; treasurer: Rupesh J Naik, Sayyed Abdul Majid; member: Mahesh Behki, Meghnath Shirodkar.