Vengsarkar takes on Deshmukh in MCA elections

Mumbai is gearing up for a high stakes battle to one of the most influential sports bodies in the country as former India captain Dileep Vengsarkar takes on union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh for the post of president.

Such is the priority that is being attached to the elections that Deshmukh opted to not attend the swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi after the cabinet was re-shuffled. While he can boast of the backing of the Sharad Pawar camp, Vengsarkar feels his career as a cricketer can help him administer the body well. He has the support of the Shiv Sena camp.

The Mumbai Cricket Association is one of the richest and most prestigious associations in the country and both Deshmukh and Vengsarkar are currently vice-presidents in it and are lobbying hard ahead of the elections on Wednesday.