Two BJP leaders in Bihar select their own U19 teams for Vinoo Mankad Trophy

Domestic cricket is all set to return to India and all the state teams are gearing up for a season that is expected to be enthralling. However, things are not so good at the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) as the organization seems to be in the middle of a power battle between two leaders, both of whom are associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The issue mainly resides with two individuals claiming to be the president of BCA. The fight has received a little firing up in the last few days as the board starts preparing to participate in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, which is a national-level U19 domestic competition. For the past few weeks, there have been two Bihar U19 teams that have been backed by two politicians, Rakesh Tiwary and Prem Ranjan Patel. 

Tiwary is the ex-state treasurer of BJP and holds the position of the president in BCA as of now. On the other hand, Patel is a former MLA and state BJP spokesperson. In a report by The Indian Express, it was also reported that Tiwary attended the last BCCI Annual General Meeting, which makes him a rightful candidate to be holding the position in BCA. Tiwary has already short-listed 135 junior players for trials for the U19 team. 

There are people who just want to create a nuisance: Rakesh Tiwary

The group led by Tiwary is expected to announce the squad after the trials on September 14. Interestingly enough, the group led by Patel has already made a list of the Bihar U19 squad and sent it to the BCCI. It has been also alleged by Tiwary that the players in the list by Patel were not even registered with the BCA. 

“They have no recognition, no office, and no official email address. When was their election held? Who are their members? There are people who just want to create a nuisance,” Tiwary was quoted by The Indian Express. 

The key thing which should be noted here was Patel’s claim that Tiwary was removed from the post of president of BCA. Tiwary revealed that 28 of the 38 district associations of the state participated in the meeting and elected him as the president of the association. Tiwary also claimed that he has been in talks with the BCCI.

On the other hand, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has said that the board will look into the matter and will not have these kinds of activities within the state associations.