Management, Opposition announce candidates ahead of BCA elections

VADODARA: The ruling management of Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has sprung a few surprises while announcing its candidates for the upcoming elections. While it has shown the door to Rakesh Parikh who is in junior cricket committee at National Cricket Academy (NCA), it has also changed candidates for the two posts of secretary. The Opposition camp led by former BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele too has fielded candidates for all the posts.
"We have taken positive steps by announcing suitable candidates for important posts. Our aim is to encourage transparent administration and develop cricket. We will try to improve infrastructure facilities and provide better opportunities to the cricketers," said a BCA official.
While Samarjit Gaekwad and Sanjay Patel will contest for the two posts of vice-president, from BCA president Chirayu Amin's panel, Snehal Parikh and Sachin Dalvi will contest for secretary's post. Arun Gandhi will contest for the post of treasurer.
From the Opposition camp, Narayan Satham and A D Vyas will contest for vice-president's post and Cecil Williams will contest for the post of secretary. Jayesh Verma, who contested as independent in last elections, will contest for treasurer's post from Opposition camp. What has surprised many is the exclusion of Parikh, who has held important posts in BCA in the past.
Sources in BCA said it was a collective decision to not include Parikh in the panel as the management wasn't much impressed with his performance. "Also, word was doing round that Parikh was hobnobbing with the Opposition panel members. In last elections too, he faced similar charges but managed to convince the management," said a source.
Former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad, who had contested elections last time, too hasn't filed nominations this year. Gaekwad had been trying hard to get in BCA after he finished his stint as coach for Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) two years back. However, he has been cold-shouldered by the management. "We want to work for development of cricket in BCA and want more say for cricketers. We are not opposing anyone as we want to play a constructive role," said Satham.
Lele's men had contested elections last year too, but they failed to put up any fight. "However, we will put up fight this time. No matter even if we lose, we will give it a try," said a candidate standing from Lele's camp.
The final list of candidates from both the sides will be out by Monday evening as it is the deadline for withdrawing nominations.