Run... Let’s see who pips whom to the MCA chief’s post

The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party tussle seems to have moved to a different location — the cricket pitch.
NCP president Sharad Pawar and senior Congress leader Vilasrao Deshmukh are eyeing the post of Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president.

“Pawar is keen on taking on the role of MCA president. But if he is forced to back out of the elections for some reason, there are still no chances of him supporting Deshmukh,” said a member of the NCP.

The third aspirant for the post is former captain Dilip Vengsarkar.
“Vengsarkar is tapping every potential support, including the Shiv Sena,” said a member of the ruling alliance. “Initially, he had sought Pawar’s blessings, but the NCP chief himself was interested in the post and refused to commit.”

“Top politicians across party lines are vying for the post. If Pawar were to take the backseat, it would become a free-for-all. It appears a section may be trying to nitpick to stall Pawar from contesting for the elections saying he had already served his tenure in the  past.  But, he will overcome that hurdle too,” added the NCP member.

A senior Congress member told DNA: “We are aware that Deshmukh is likely to be pitted against Pawar for the MCA president’s post. However, the party will not make it a prestige issue because it relates to sports. The party will stay out of the MCA elections. It will be left to Deshmukh to hold negotiations with the Pawar camp to decide if he wants to contest or step back.”