New Delhi:
He talked about politics and kho-kho yesterday, but he was really thinking about quite another game. Cricket.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh skipped yesterday's swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan to lobby for the post of president of the Mumbai Cricket Association. He is pitted against former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar and this match promises to go down to the wire.
Deshmukh also seems none-too-happy about being shifted from Rural Development to the Science and Technology and Earth sciences Ministry. Asked on Tuesday if he saw it as a demotion, he had said with political savvy, "There is no demotion...at the Central level you can only be a Cabinet minister and that is equivalent to being promoted. There is no demotion then, politics is like kho-kho."
Having said that, it is also clear which position seems more appealing to the Maharashtra Congressman as he puts in his all to do battle for the reins of the prestigious and very rich Mumbai Cricket Association.
"Politicians are only looking at the administration part, game development is the job of cricketers and there will be no interference in that," vowed Mr Deshmukh. There's a quick comeback from his rival. "I have been both a cricketer and a cricket administrator, that makes a big difference," says Mr Vengsarkar.
The new head of the Mumbai Cricket Association will be elected on Friday. Both Mr Vengsarkar and Mr Deshmukh have served as Vice-President.
So attractive is the post that Union Minister Sharad Pawar who currently heads the cricket uber-body the International Cricket Council wanted to run for President. But he was disqualified because the Vengsarkar camp revealed that Mr Pawar does not have a registered address in Mumbai, mandatory for candidates.
So Mr Pawar is now backing Mr Deshmukh, with who he has clashed often in Maharashtra politics. And the Shiv Sena is supporting Mr Vengsarkar's bid.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh skipped yesterday's swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan to lobby for the post of president of the Mumbai Cricket Association. He is pitted against former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar and this match promises to go down to the wire.
Deshmukh also seems none-too-happy about being shifted from Rural Development to the Science and Technology and Earth sciences Ministry. Asked on Tuesday if he saw it as a demotion, he had said with political savvy, "There is no demotion...at the Central level you can only be a Cabinet minister and that is equivalent to being promoted. There is no demotion then, politics is like kho-kho."
Having said that, it is also clear which position seems more appealing to the Maharashtra Congressman as he puts in his all to do battle for the reins of the prestigious and very rich Mumbai Cricket Association.
"Politicians are only looking at the administration part, game development is the job of cricketers and there will be no interference in that," vowed Mr Deshmukh. There's a quick comeback from his rival. "I have been both a cricketer and a cricket administrator, that makes a big difference," says Mr Vengsarkar.
The new head of the Mumbai Cricket Association will be elected on Friday. Both Mr Vengsarkar and Mr Deshmukh have served as Vice-President.
So attractive is the post that Union Minister Sharad Pawar who currently heads the cricket uber-body the International Cricket Council wanted to run for President. But he was disqualified because the Vengsarkar camp revealed that Mr Pawar does not have a registered address in Mumbai, mandatory for candidates.
So Mr Pawar is now backing Mr Deshmukh, with who he has clashed often in Maharashtra politics. And the Shiv Sena is supporting Mr Vengsarkar's bid.
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