Sharad Pawar quits as MCA president

Mumbai, Dec 17 (IANS) Adhering to the norm of age-cap of 70 years prescribed by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice R.M. Lodha panel, veteran politician Sharad Pawar on Saturday stepped down from the president's post of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

Pawar, a former International Cricket Council (ICC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, cited the apex court's verdict as the reason for his resignation from the post. He was elected for a third time after 2001-02 and 2010-11.

"The Supreme Court has taken a decision that officials above 70 years of age should not remain in cricket bodies. This decision is applicable to me. That is why I am resigning from the position of MCA president and I request you (Secretary) to accept it," the 76-year-old said in his resignation letter to MCA, submitted during the association's Emergent Managing Committee meeting.

Pawar, however, expressed his displeasure at the apex court's usage of the word "lucrative" for such posts which the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) heavyweight felt were filled by democratic means.

"While taking the decision regarding cricket, the Supreme Court has said that the officials should not be above 70 years of age and they have described these positions as "lucrative" which made me very sad and that's why I don't have any wish to work any more," he wrote.

"In reality the positions are filled through democratic means. Since these appointments were happening through democratic means, I was happy to work in that position."

"During my term as MCA president, I did not take any allowance or get any financial benefit. I and my colleagues have given time and taken the entire responsibility for our work in the association. While building new facilities, we took care that the name of MCA will be taken with pride. The Supreme Court should have taken a note of this," he wrote in his resignation note.

Pawar said that as a citizen of the country he had no hesitation to abide by the Supreme Court's verdict and comply with it.

"It's the duty of every Indian to abide by the court's decision. So without discussing it further I accept this decision and I am happy to comply with it."

"Even if I have retired from the work of the association, I will always extend my co-operation for the game and the players," he concluded.

Pawar's decision to step down from the MCA top post means that Mumbai will become the fourth association after Vidarbha, Rajasthan and Tripura to implement the Lodha panel's recommendations.