The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) elections, scheduled for May 18, is heading for an interesting fight as two heavyweight candidates are up for a closely contested fight. Former JSCA Vice President and Congress leader Ajay Nath Shah Deo will take on RSB Group Managing Director SK Behera in the race for the coveted post of President.
In a move that has added further weight to the contest, former Team India cricketer Saurabh Tiwary has been fielded by the Shah Deo camp as their nominee for Secretary. Countering this, the Behera faction, backed by JSCA member Akhilesh Jha, has named SB Singh as their Secretary candidate. Also from the Behera camp, Manoj Singh, former Vice President of JSCA from Dhanbad, is contesting again for the Vice President’s role.
Adding momentum to the election campaign, the Behera group convened a strategic meeting at a prominent hotel in Bistupur. Several JSCA members were in attendance, pledging their support to Behera, who was projected as a symbol of progressive leadership and transparency in Jharkhand cricket. Sources indicated that stakeholders from multiple districts have aligned behind Behera’s vision for reform and growth.
In a fresh twist, former India international Shahbaz Nadeem is reportedly set to enter the fray for the post of Joint Secretary. He is believed to be in close coordination with Shah Deo’s group and may file his nomination in the coming days.
According to sources within JSCA, the official election notification will be issued shortly. The elections will fill 15 positions on the Committee of Management, including President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Joint Secretary, five committee members, four district representatives, and one representative each from schools and clubs.
The electorate comprises 638 life members, along with representatives from 25 clubs, 29 schools, 10 institutions, and 23 districts participating in the JSCA league system.
With both camps in full campaign mode, the election is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal in recent JSCA history, potentially determining the direction of cricket administration in Jharkhand for the next three years.