Gopinath Munde files nomination for MCA president

BJP’s deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Gopinath Munde filed his nomination for President of Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Tuesday evening. Munde became a member of MCA recently through a South Mumbai based Cricket club.

There is wide speculation in Mumbai’s cricket sphere that NCP Chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is likely to contest the elections for the same position though Pawar has not yet filed his form. Pawar changed his official residence address from his constituency Baramati to Mumbai a few months ago giving indications that he would contest the MCA polls. If Pawar actually files his papers it would be a BJP versus NCP contest at the MCA. Former Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmush was the last elected President of MCA. After Deshukh's death in August 2012 the charge was given to Ravi Sawant.

The voting for MCA elections will happen on October 18 and last date to file nominations is 14th. Just over two weeks ago Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan registered himself as a member of the MCA giving rise to speculation that he might also contest the MCA elections but he later announced that he had not taken any decision regarding whether to contest.

Confirming that he would run for President Gopinath Munde told ET that he wants to work for the cricket clubs that constitute MCA. “In the last few years MCA has been developed a lot but the clubs that constitute the MCA have not got any benefit. I want to work for the clubs. I am not contesting to fight against any political rival”, Munde said.