In an unprecedented display of political unity, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar joined forces to ensure the unanimous election of Ajinkya Naik as the president of the Mumbai Cricket Association. This rare consensus between political rivals has reshaped the leadership landscape of one of India's most prominent cricket bodies.
Political Heavyweights Forge Cricket Consensus
The dramatic development unfolded on Monday morning when Fadnavis and Pawar met with the current MCA president Ajinkya Naik at the chief minister's official residence, Varsha. Hours following this crucial meeting, Naik was elected unopposed to the top post as seven other candidates withdrew their nominations in a remarkable show of unity.
The meeting between these political stalwarts demonstrated their shared commitment to keeping cricket administration separate from political rivalries. Sources within MCA revealed that both leaders had identified Naik as their preferred candidate due to his hands-on approach and daily involvement in association affairs.
Seven Candidates Withdraw in Unprecedented Move
The list of candidates who stepped aside for Naik reads like a who's who of Maharashtra's political and cricket circles. Former India captain Diana Edulji, BJP MLC Prasad Lad, NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Ahwad, and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Milind Narvekar were among those who withdrew their presidential candidacies.
Other prominent figures who stepped aside included Congress leader Shah Alam Shaikh, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) Minister Pratap Sarnaik's son Vihang Sarnaik, and Suraj Samat. The mass withdrawal occurred later in the evening when all seven candidates visited the MCA office to formally pull out of the presidential race.
Voices of Support from Across the Spectrum
BJP MLC Prasad Lad, who will now contest for the vice-president position, expressed full support for the decision. "In cricket, we have never bought politics. Ajinkya had only been president for 11 months before, and he did good work. Be it our CM Devendra Fadnavis, state leader Sharad Pawar and Ashish Shelar, all have kept a close eye on cricket. Whatever they have decided is acceptable to us, and we will work for the development of the game," Lad stated.
NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Ahwad echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that "Pawar saheb has never brought politics into cricket. The chief minister, Pawar saheb, and Ashish Shelar have decided the list, and we will go according to that."
Former Indian women's cricket captain Diana Edulji provided particularly emotional reasoning for her withdrawal. "It was an emotional moment; we had won a women's World Cup. I wanted continuity to continue because of what he (Ajinkya) has done in those one year I witnessed that," she explained.
Edulji further elaborated on Naik's contributions to women's cricket, stating, "The amount of encouragement he has given to women's cricket and brought women's cricket to a certain level, I did not want to spoil that, and be a speed breaker."
Elections Proceed for Remaining Positions
While the presidential position has been settled, the Mumbai Cricket Association will witness competitive elections on November 12 for several key positions. Voting will take place for the posts of vice-president, treasurer, secretary, joint secretary and nine positions in the Apex Council.
In another development, Rajdip Gupta of the National Cricket Club secured the T20 chairman post unopposed, adding to the day's consensus-building narrative.
The newly elected president Ajinkya Naik expressed his commitment to Mumbai cricket, saying, "My heart lies in cricket maidan and I will work for every player, every club, and for the bright future of Mumbai cricket." His election marks a significant moment in MCA's history, demonstrating that political differences can be set aside for the betterment of cricket administration.
