Sharad Pawar bows to Lodha's edict

Mumbai: Mumbai Cricket Association has agreed to implement the Supreme Court verdict as per Justice R.M. Lodha panel recommendations in Toto. MCA President Sharad Pawar set the precedent to retire but not immediately as MCA led by him will start the process to redraw its constitution within six months to align with the judgement.

“We discussed the Supreme Court judgement on the basis of Lodha Committee recommendations in depth today. We decided to unanimously approve all the recommendations communicated by the Supreme Court,” said Pawar after the MCA’s managing committee meeting here on Sunday.

Pawar welcomed the arbitration panel of the Supreme Court in which there are some members who are above 70. “Since as per Supreme Court decision no (BCCI) office bearer can be over the age of 70 and hold the office for more than nine years (cumulatively). I fall in both the categories. So I should not continue and I am the happiest person to retire. As you know during my time in the BCCI (as its president) and MCA, several things have been accomplished in support of cricket,” the 75-year-old former ICC and BCCI President added.

“I respect the judiciary. Supreme Court has taken a decision and I respect that. In the Arbitration Panel of the Supreme Court there are judges who are above 70 years of age. I am happy that their vast experience and knowledge is available to the Supreme Court,” he quipped.

Pawar said now he will work on amending the Mumbai CA constitution with six months as per time limit set by the Justice Lodha panel. “Now we will first redraw the constitution, get the draft approved by the managing committee before calling a Special General Meeting to get the amended constitution passed. We have six months’ time,” he said.

MCA also has no problem in having voting power on rotational basis as Maharashtra Cricket Association and Vidarbha Cricket Association also are from the same State but Pawar said he would seek clarification from BCCI on this point.

“When Mumbai gets a chance to be represented, our jurisdiction will extend all over Maharashtra and not confined only to Mumbai and its surrounding areas like Navi Mumbai and Thane as is the case now. We will then have to include players from the rest of Maharashtra in our teams. When Maharashtra gets its chance they can include Mumbai players. We need clarification on this point from the BCCI which can then seek the same from the Justice Lodha Committee,” he said.

Pawar said despite the verdict affecting most of its managing committee members the transition would be smooth. “MCA will be able to execute all recommendations and there will be smooth transition. I didn’t talk to BCCI but don’t see any difficulty,” said Pawar, adding that MCA VP Dilip Vengsarkar authorised to look into Pravin Amre’s conflict of interest issue.