Court order can adversely affect Sachin’s 200th test: Sharad Pawar
MCA chief calls Mundes claims mala fide.
In an affidavit filed before the city civil court,Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has claimed that the court’s order on BJP leader Gopinath Munde’s petition might have an adverse effect on Sachin Tendulkar’s last and 200th test cricket match to be played at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA)-owned Wankhede stadium from November 14 to 18. Pawar was replying to a petition filed by Munde against MCA,which had disqualified the latter’s nomination to contest for the President’s position.
“MCA has been honoured to conduct the match where legendary Sachin Tendulkar will be playing his 200th test match,before retiring from the test cricket. Sportspersons as well as dignitaries from various countries and various parts of India will be attending the match. Any interim order will be prejudiced to the interest of MCA and even to the interest of the nation,” Pawar’s affidavit says.
Munde moved court last week,seeking a stay on Pawar’s appointment as president of the association and challenged the rejection of his application. Munde’s application was rejected on the ground that his address on electoral records was Beed (in Maharashtra). He approached the appellate authority,which upheld the election officer’s decision. Following this,Munde approached court.
Munde’s lawyer Vivekanand Gupta said Pawar’s claims were baseless. “The court’s decision will have no bearing on the test match. In the president’s absence,the vice-president is in charge,” said Gupta.
Pawar,who was elected unopposed as the president,had changed his residential address and included Mumbai address just days before the election date was announced. Munde challenged the MCA’s terms and conditions to bar him from contesting on the basis of his residential address and alleged that this was never a parameter for elections earlier. Munde,although a registered voter from Beed,holds a passport issued in Mumbai.
Pawar has claimed that by merely owing a property in Mumbai,one cannot claim that he or she is a Mumbai resident. However,to support his claims that he was a permanent resident of Mumbai,he states that he owns a house at Walkeshwar and is a registered voter from Mumbai. He has also called Munde’s claim baseless and with mala fide intentions.
sukanya.shetty@expressindia.com
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