BJP leaders ask Baroda Cricket Association to induct new members in association

VADODARA: In an unprecedented move, BJP leaders in Vadodara have asked the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) to open its membership. City BJP chief Dr Vijay Shah and Member of Parliament Ranjan Bhatt said that the association should start inducting new individuals and institutions as members.
Though BCA has members from both BJP and Congress, it is for the first time that a political party has tried to directly meddle in the association’s affairs. “About 20 years ago the BCA last inducted members from the city. We want the cricket association to induct new members. Many people associated with sports want to become a part of the BCA,” Shah said.
He alleged, “Most of the current members in the BCA are either part of some family, members of some co-operative societies or clubs or belong to some caste. BCA has organized its annual general meeting on Sunday and we want the association to take up the membership drive as one of its agendas,” Shah added.
The city BJP has also written to the BCA urging it to take in new members. “There are so many schools and colleges in the city. BCA should induct them as members in their university/school category. We are not getting into any row with the BCA. Our aim is to just ensure that Barodians have more representation in the association.”
Shah said, “Some Congress leaders are already a part of the BCA. So where is the question of bringing politics into the association.”