Ex-royal, cricketers, politicians battle to run Karnataka cricket

Wadiyar, son of the former Mysore maharaja, had defeated legendary batsman Gundappa Vishwanath in a bitterly fought poll three years ago to head Karnataka cricket.

The Wadiyar panel had, however, failed to dislodge former Test cricketer Brijesh Patel, whose long tenure as the KSCA secretary has been marred with controversies.

This time, Patel is not contesting and is backing former speedster Javgal Srinath for the post against the Wadiyar panel's A.V. Jayaparaksh, also a former cricketer who made a name as a Test umpire as well.

"A contest is on," Patel told IANS Thursday discounting the possibility of a unanimous choice for the posts of president and secretary.

Though there were reports in a section of the media of talks between the two sides to avoid a contest for key posts, Patel said there was no such effort.

"Tomorrow (Friday) is the last day for withdrawals. But elections will be there for all posts," he said.

Other leading cricketers fighting the Nov 21 polls for various posts include former paceman Venkatesh Prasad, on Kumble's panel, for one of the three vice president's posts.
A mining magnate and Congress Rajya Sabha member Anil Lad is the prominent politician trying his luck for a seat in the 24-member managing committee.

Also in the fray for the vice president's post are P. Sadananda Maiya, whose family runs the famous MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Rooms)eating house in Bangalore; and M.K. Panudranga Shetty, head of Rashtriya Vidyalaya (RV) group of educational institutions in Bangalore.