Rajasthan Cricket Association: A power struggle amid govt silence

Time of India

5 hours ago

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Jaipur: The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) is grappling with unprecedented turmoil as its govt-appointed ad hoc committee, tasked with conducting elections, has overstayed its tenure by over a year, a first in the association's history.
On June 27, the panel, formed on March 28, 2024, will complete five tenures.
Unlike the 2014–2017 period, when an ad hoc panel managed RCA affairs due to suspension by the Indian cricket board (BCCI) over Lalit Modi's controversial reappointment, the current crisis stems from political interference and committee infighting. Led by BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani, the committee is now plagued by internal rifts, with members accusing each other of power grabs and mismanagement.
The infighting has reduced the six-member panel to a two-member team, raising questions about Rajasthan govt's silence despite its authority to resolve the crisis. Bihani, an MLA from Sriganganagar, wields significant influence within the committee due to his political stature. His position as a BJP legislator grants him leverage over other members, enabling unilateral decisions that have fueled dissent. Bihani's actions, such as suspending the Pali and Bikaner District Cricket Associations (DCA) and forming selection committees without proper procedure, have been criticized as authoritarian.
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Four committee members, Dhananjai Singh Khimsar, Dharamveer Singh Sekhawat, Ratan Singh, and Harish Chandra Singh, have openly rebelled, accusing Bihani of using political clout to marginalize them and undermine RCA's democratic processes. They allege he has neglected meetings for months and made baseless match-fixing allegations against the Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2025, prompting the franchise to lodge complaints with the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) and other authorities.
The state govt's inaction has drawn scrutiny, particularly as the ad hoc committee's prolonged tenure, originally set for three months with a subsequent extension, has delayed RCA elections indefinitely. "Bihani is from the ruling party but seems to have support from a central leader, openly confronting the sports minister/government. The ad hoc was created for reasons now happening. Three months have turned into five extensions, a mockery," said a source.
Bihani, however, refuted the claims. "CM sir doesn't pay attention to cricket, so to say that I am getting his support is wrong. But yes, if I had done anything wrong while running RCA, he would have reprimanded me. The only interference there is, is from the Sports Council. I will comment on this tomorrow if the ad hoc panel gets an extension," Bihani told TOI.
Meanwhile, former CM Ashok Gehlot also waded into the issue, criticizing the govt's silence and alleging on X that infighting in RCA had disappointed cricket lovers and made it challenging to organize the IPL.
"Elections should have been held within three months, yet it's been one and a half years," Gehlot said, adding that during his son, Vaibhav Gehlot's tenure as RCA president, the association hosted international matches and initiated projects like a world-class stadium, which are now stalled.
Sources attributed the delay in RCA elections to the "entry of too many politicians' sons". Notable names include Jodhpur DCA president Dhananjai Singh Khimsar (son of health minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar), Banswara DCA president Prempratap Singh Malviya (son of BJP leader Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya), Baran DCA treasurer Pawan Dilawar (son of education minister Madan Dilawar), Churu DCA president Parakram Singh Rathore (son of former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Singh Rathore), Sikar DCA treasurer Ashish Tiwari (son of Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari), Alwar DCA president Mohit Yadav (son of former BJP minister Jaswant Yadav), and Sirohi DCA president Vikram Dewasi (son of panchayati raj, rural development and disaster management minister Otaram Dewasi).
"Too many sons of politicians want to marry a single bride - RCA. So best is to avoid marriage. They don't want to do things in haste and repent later," a source said.
eom
Jaipur: The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) is grappling with unprecedented turmoil as its govt-appointed ad hoc committee, tasked with conducting elections, has overstayed its tenure by over a year, a first in the association's history. On June 27, the panel, formed on March 28, 2024, will complete five tenures.
Unlike the 2014–2017 period, when an ad hoc panel managed RCA affairs due to suspension by the Indian cricket board (BCCI) over Lalit Modi's controversial reappointment, the current crisis stems from political interference and committee infighting. Led by BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani, the committee is now plagued by internal rifts, with members accusing each other of power grabs and mismanagement.
The infighting has reduced the six-member panel to a two-member team, raising questions about Rajasthan govt's silence despite its authority to resolve the crisis.
Bihani, an MLA from Sriganganagar, wields significant influence within the committee due to his political stature. His position as a BJP legislator grants him leverage over other members, enabling unilateral decisions that have fueled dissent. Bihani's actions, such as suspending the Pali and Bikaner District Cricket Associations (DCA) and forming selection committees without proper procedure, have been criticized as authoritarian.
Four committee members, Dhananjai Singh Khimsar, Dharamveer Singh Sekhawat, Ratan Singh, and Harish Chandra Singh, have openly rebelled, accusing Bihani of using political clout to marginalize them and undermine RCA's democratic processes. They allege he has neglected meetings for months and made baseless match-fixing allegations against the Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2025, prompting the franchise to lodge complaints with the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) and other authorities.
The state govt's inaction has drawn scrutiny, particularly as the ad hoc committee's prolonged tenure, originally set for three months with a subsequent extension, has delayed RCA elections indefinitely. "Bihani is from the ruling party but seems to have support from a central leader, openly confronting the sports minister/government. The ad hoc was created for reasons now happening. Three months have turned into five extensions, a mockery," said a source.
Bihani, however, refuted the claims. "CM sir doesn't pay attention to cricket, so to say that I am getting his support is wrong. But yes, if I had done anything wrong while running RCA, he would have reprimanded me. The only interference there is, is from the Sports Council. I will comment on this tomorrow if the ad hoc panel gets an extension," Bihani told TOI.
Meanwhile, former CM Ashok Gehlot also waded into the issue, criticizing the govt's silence and alleging on X that infighting in RCA had disappointed cricket lovers and made it challenging to organize the IPL.
"Elections should have been held within three months, yet it's been one and a half years," Gehlot said, adding that during his son, Vaibhav Gehlot's tenure as RCA president, the association hosted international matches and initiated projects like a world-class stadium, which are now stalled.
Sources attributed the delay in RCA elections to the "entry of too many politicians' sons". Notable names include Jodhpur DCA president Dhananjai Singh Khimsar (son of health minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar), Banswara DCA president Prempratap Singh Malviya (son of BJP leader Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya), Baran DCA treasurer Pawan Dilawar (son of education minister Madan Dilawar), Churu DCA president Parakram Singh Rathore (son of former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Singh Rathore), Sikar DCA treasurer Ashish Tiwari (son of Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari), Alwar DCA president Mohit Yadav (son of former BJP minister Jaswant Yadav), and Sirohi DCA president Vikram Dewasi (son of panchayati raj, rural development and disaster management minister Otaram Dewasi).
"Too many sons of politicians want to marry a single bride - RCA. So best is to avoid marriage. They don't want to do things in haste and repent later," a source said.
eom