Pawar set to head MCA as Munde's appeal rejected

Sharad Pawar is all set to be elected unopposed as the Mumbai Cricket Association President after BJP leader Gopinath Munde's appeal against the rejection of his application to contest for the top post at tomorrow's polls was turned down today.
The former Maharashtra deputy chief minister, whose application to contest the polls was rejected by the election officer on the basis of his residential status, had appealed against the verdict but that too was rejected, said outgoing MCA chief Ravi Savant here today.
Munde's application was rejected by the election officer on Saturday as the address on his electoral registration was Beed after which he filed an appeal which has now been turned down.

According to MCA rules, only a Mumbai resident can become a governing member of the cricketing body.
Explaining the rationale behind the rejection of Munde's appeal, Savant said that as per a Bombay High Court order of 2006, a person could have residences in different cities, but he is considered to be a permanent resident of only that place where his name appears on the electoral rolls.
"Mr Munde had filed an appeal with which he had attached various documents to show that he has a residence in Mumbai. But that only indicates he has got a residence in Mumbai. But the rule says he has got to be a resident of Mumbai. Whatever was shown to us did indicate he has got a permanent residence in Mumbai.

"(But) Bombay High Court has answered in 2006 that a person can be taken safely as permanent resident where he is listed in the voters list. I may have two places (of residence) but to be a permanent resident of one place the criteria is the voters' list," Savant said.
Savant stated that post the development, Union Agriculture Minister Pawar is the lone candidate for the MCA presidentship and is all set to be elected unopposed at the biennial polls.
"There were two candidates after the last date of withdrawal. Therefore, you can safely say Sharad Pawar is the only candidate left now, so he is unopposed," he said.