New twist in MCA elections as Shelar files for top post

BJP’s Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar (fifth from right) files his nomination for the MCA president’s post yesterday

BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena could be political rivals in Maharashtra, but foes have turned friends when it comes to ruling cricket administration in Mumbai.

BJP's Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar, NCP leader Jitendra Awhad and Shiv Sena boss Uddhav Thackeray's loyalist Milind Narvekar are likely to be a part Mumbai cricket's administration for the next three years when the Mumbai Cricket Association will go to polls on October 20.

On Monday, Shelar filed his nomination for the president's post. Awhad and Narvekar were the surprise candidates for the Apex Council.

The biggest shocker came in the form of a document stating they are part of the Pawar-Shelar Group with signatures of Sharad Pawar and Shelar and a list of candidates for various posts.

Also Read: MCA secretary Naik sends conflict complaint after Patil files prez nomination

There was no mention of former India batsman Sandeep Patil, who had filed his nomination for the president's post on Saturday. Patil is a representative of the Sharad Pawar group. Only two representatives from the Pawar panel - Ajinkya Naik (secretary) and Gaurav Payyade (Apex Council) - got a berth in the Pawar-Shelar group.

Interestingly, Payyade has only filed his nomination for the joint secretary's post. Monday was the final day to file the nominations. Candidates have time till October 14 to withdraw their nominations.

"This is so shocking. I am completely dumbfounded by this development. On one hand, Pawar saheb gave us his blessings and approved the candidates of his panel. And now, this? We are going to meet to discuss our next step," said a member of the Pawar panel.

Some members of the panel, who did not find any mention in the merged panel of two political stalwarts, are contemplating contesting independently in a worst-case scenario. The candidates have been campaigning for over a month now. It is understood that Patil is willing to put up a fight. Patil's group name is Mumbai Cricket Group.