Royal Scion Samarjitsinh Gaekwad Breaks Alliance with BCA's Revival Group
In a significant development in Vadodara's cricket administration landscape, royal scion Samarjitsinh Gaekwad launched a sharp critique on Thursday against the Pranav Amin-led Revival Group that has controlled the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) for several years. Gaekwad revealed that his Royal Group has severed its alliance with the Revival Group, citing systematic suppression and disregard for his faction's voice during their tenure together.
Allegations of Suppression and Lack of Representation
Gaekwad expressed his frustration with the treatment his group received while in alliance with the Revival Group. "You can remain suppressed for some time, but you cannot remain oppressed forever," he declared, indicating that his faction had been deliberately sidelined in crucial decision-making processes. The royal scion emphasized that the core issue was not merely about sharing posts, as suggested by Amin, but rather about fundamental representation and respect.
"Our voice was not being heard. We asked for proper representation, but the other side was unwilling. If you do not give us representation, it means you do not respect us," Gaekwad stated firmly. This breakdown in communication and representation has prompted his group to form a new alliance with the Satyamev Jayate Group led by Darshan Banker for the upcoming BCA elections.
Controversy Over Candidate Selection
Further escalating the conflict, Gaekwad raised serious objections regarding the Revival Group's approach to candidate selection. He revealed that at one point, the group considered fielding a presidential candidate with no cricketing background, which he found unacceptable. "At one stage, they wanted to field a person who had no cricketing background. Later, they switched to plan B, probably after we walked out of the alliance," Gaekwad disclosed.
This revelation sheds light on the internal discord that plagued the alliance, with the Revival Group initially considering Akshat Patel as their presidential candidate before eventually settling on former India cricketer Kiran More. The shift in strategy appears to have been influenced by Gaekwad's departure from the coalition.
New Alliance and Positive Campaign Promise
Darshan Banker, leader of the Satyamev Jayate Group now allied with Gaekwad's faction, outlined their approach to the upcoming elections. "Our poll campaign will centre on improving cricket and presenting a constructive agenda. We do not want to indulge in negativity," Banker affirmed, signaling a departure from the acrimonious politics that has characterized the recent developments.
The newly formed Royal Satyamev Jayate Group has already garnered support from several former cricketers, including:
- Jacob Martin
- Connor Williams
- Mangala Babar
Allegations of Unilateral Decision-Making
Adding to the chorus of criticism against the Revival Group, Anant Indulkar, who is contesting for the secretary's post from the new alliance, accused the previous administration of ignoring established decision-making norms. "All decisions in the apex council must be taken by consensus, but the Revival Group was taking decisions unilaterally," he alleged, highlighting what he described as a pattern of exclusionary governance.
This political realignment at the Baroda Cricket Association represents a significant shift in the power dynamics of one of India's prominent cricket associations. The allegations of suppression, lack of representation, and unilateral decision-making have brought to the forefront the internal conflicts that have been brewing within the BCA administration, setting the stage for a contentious election season focused on governance reform and inclusive leadership.
