Gaekwad feels West can be kingmakers
MUMBAI: The one-state, one-vote policy, which will soon be implemented if the Supreme Court approves the new constitution prepared by the Committee of Administrators on Saturday, has evoked mixed reactions.
Maharashtra and Gujarat will be the worst affected by this policy as each of them have three associations registered as BCCI full members.
According to the new constitution, there will be only one vote for each state and the three associations will take turns to vote. Former India pacer Balwinder Singh Sandhu said Mumbai’s influence in the BCCI will take a hit. “Mumbai will be the biggest loser. When there will be no say in the BCCI, who will speak for Mumbai cricket. There will be no one to speak for Mumbai cricketers and talent,” Sandhu said.
“The BCCI does not have a corporate governance culture which can ensure talent is rewarded. It will take a lot of time for the BCCI to get to that level. So, till then there will be no one to highlight or point out to the BCCI what Mumbai is producing,” added the 1983 World Cup-winning member.
MCA secretary Dr PV Shetty too expressed displeasure. “MCA has a rich history. It is one of the premier cricket associations in India. If the vote is taken away, we will have no say in BCCI matters. We are not happy with this policy. But if the Supreme Court approves it (the new constitution), we have no choice but to follow it,” Shetty added.
Anshuman Gaekwad, the former India batsman and ex-secretary of Baroda Cricket Association, is all for it. “I see no problem in it. I don’t understand why there has to be an ego. Each association will get a chance to vote. So, in this case, Gujarat and Maharashtra can come to a consensus that they will vote for so and so in the BCCI. If you can’t be king, be a king-maker. It’s simple,” Gaekwad said.
As far as the policy affecting cricket programmes undertaken by an association is concerned, former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar said: “As a former player, my interest is only cricket. From where I look at it, I don’t think it makes any difference to a cricketer. For him, the pride of representing Mumbai remains the same. Nothing changes for a cricketer on the field if Mumbai Cricket Association does not have a vote,” Powar said.