MCA secretary Naik sends conflict complaint after Patil files prez nomination

Sandeep Patil (left) at the MCA office, where he filed his nomination for the president’s post on Saturday

Within hours of former India batting star Sandeep Patil filing his nomination for the president's post of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Saturday, the incumbent secretary of the association, Sanjay Naik filed a conflict of interest complaint against Patil.

Naik, in his complaint, to the MCA ombudsman and ethics officer, Justice Dilip Bhosale, has highlighted that Patil's daughter-in-law Sana is Salil Ankola's daughter. Ankola, the former India pacer, is chairman of the MCA senior selection committee. "Hence, the daughter of said Mr Salil Ankola is daughter in-law of the Respondent [Patil] herein, therefore there is a close relation between the Respondent [Patil] and Ankola. Thus, the same is clearly in conflict of interest as defined under Rule 38(v) of the MCA constitution," Naik stated in his petition.

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Naik added that Patil's nomination form "is required to be rejected/cancelled and or be declared as disqualified" from contesting the elections.

The MCA elections are scheduled for October 20. Patil, who is contesting from Sharad Pawar's group, was unperturbed by conflict of interest complaint. "Let them file. All we want is a fair election," he told Sunday mid-day.

Patil's candidature was rejected the last time by the election officer for an alleged conflict of interest which concerned media work.