The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) witnessed a tight race for the vacant councillor post, with Surendra Harmalkar emerging victorious. Harmalkar, supported by the ruling party led by president Ajinkya Naik, secured the position, defeating Deepan Mistry by a comfortable margin. The election, held on Wednesday, saw a turnout of 286 out of 375 eligible voters, the lowest among the three forced elections in the last two months.
Harmalkar’s victory marks the third consecutive win for Naik’s group, demonstrating their continued influence within the MCA. Naik highlighted the crucial role of secretaries from various clubs, including maidan, office, school, and college, in securing this win. He also acknowledged the support of men’s and women’s cricketers, which played a significant role in the outcome.
The election was triggered by the elevation of Abhay Hadap, the former councillor, to the position of secretary. This vacancy had to be filled following the recent series of elections within the MCA. In June, the sudden demise of then-president Amol Kale led to Naik, the secretary at the time, defeating vice-president Sanjay Naik to assume the presidency. This, in turn, necessitated an election for the secretary’s post, which saw Hadap triumph over Sachin Tendulkar-backed Suraj Samat. Hadap’s subsequent promotion as secretary, finally, led to Wednesday’s election.
This election concludes the recent election spree within the MCA, bringing a sense of stability to the organization as it continues to focus on the growth and development of Mumbai cricket.
