09 July,2011 07:22 AM IST | | Harit N Joshi
There is yet another twist to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) July 15 polls. The Sharad Pawar-Bal Mahaddalkar group is now rethinking whether to support to aspiring candidate Vilasrao Deshmukh as promised.
It is learnt that the Pawar-Mahaddalkar group may withdraw their support if the former chief minister of Maharashtra remains adamant on including some of his supporters in the panel.
Former chief minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh
"We will not support Deshmukh if he does not let go of his demand. Our panel is finalised and is unlikely to change," a member of the Pawar-Mahaddalkar camp told MiD DAY yesterday.
Sharad Pawar
Deshmukh is keen to include Lalchand Rajput, Shah Alam and Shekhar Shetty in the Pawar-Mahaddalkar panel. As of now, Deshmukh supporters have filed independent nominations for various posts.
"There are chances that we may make our own panel. We are waiting for Deshmukhsaheb's signal. Once he gives us the instructions, we will start forming our panel. There are many independent candidates who are keen to join our panel," said a Deshmukh aide.
However, the Deshmukh camp is confident that they will garner support of the Pawar-Mahaddalkar group eventually. "One thing is clear that they (Pawar-Mahaddalkar group) are dead against the Dilip Vengsarkar camp. Deshmukh saheb is going to meet Pawar in next few days to discuss the issue. We are confident that Pawar will agree to our point and our members will be included in their panel. These are common things in politics," the source added.
Meanwhile, 57 candidates have filed for 17 posts. They are as follows: President: 3, Vice-president: 9, Treasurer: 5, Joint secretary: 8, Managing committee: 32. July 12 is the last date for any withdrawal of nominations.
