Pitch Dark: Internecine battles in Rajasthan

Arrival of Indian Premier League (IPL) has made in-fighting at Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) burst into public. The association’s officials have been taking sides and stances, while allegations and abuses are hurled against one another.

On Thursday, RCA treasurer Pinkesh Porwal and secretary RS Nandhu in a press conference  accused RCA president CP Joshi of corruption. However, RCA joint-secretary Mahendra Nahar while dismissing the allegations called the press conference an attempt to tarnish Joshi’s image. Meanwhile, CP Joshi himself had been battling it out with former president on RCA Lalit Modi on social media site Twitter. The spat that broke between the two on Wednesday registered nearly a dozen tweet exchanges on Thursday — all in the name of IPL.

It began with a difference over payment for IPL works in excess of tender quotation. The Modi loyalists claim that it was done just to benefit the contractor who is close to RCA president. The treasurer and general secretary not only refused to sign on the payment proposal, they also demand inquiry in the case by an independent agency.

The same was made the ground by Modi as he initiated tweet attack on Joshi that continued on Thursday. Not taking things laying down, Joshi also fired back.

“I am quite sure that you are oblivious to the fact that RCA is working under the guidance of @BCCI and the Hon. High Court of Jaipur and will submit each and every expense in front of them. If you have any doubts about it you are more then welcome ....” Joshi tweeted.

As the list of allegations and counter-allegations gets longer, a divide in the RCA is quite apparent.

As rift widens the association members are seen taking sides beyond political inclination, where Joshi despite being a senior Congress leader have found an admirer in BJP’s Ameen Pathan. However, Pinkesh Porwal also from BJP is in his rival camp.