RCA election 2026: Sons of five political leaders file nominations for key posts
Synopsis
The RCA 2026–29 election has turned into a proxy political contest: sons of a sitting Health Minister, an Education Minister, a Rajya Sabha MP and two other BJP-affiliated leaders are all in the fray, spanning the presidential race down to treasurer. With three competing panels and BJP-linked district associations awaiting party direction, the 29 September vote could reveal as much about Rajasthan's ruling bloc as it does about who runs the state's cricket.
Key Takeaways
Sons of at least five political leaders filed nominations for the RCA 2026–29 election on the final day, 26 September 2026 .
Dhananjay Singh Khinvsar (son of Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar ) and Parakram Singh Rathore (son of former minister Rajendra Rathore ) are both contesting for President .
Three distinct panels are in the field; the third group fields Brij Kishore Sharma as presidential candidate.
Nomination scrutiny is on 27 September , withdrawals on 28 September , and polling on 29 September at the RCA Academy, Jaipur .
BJP-linked district associations have indicated they will await directions from the government and party organisation before deciding their stance.
The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) election for the 2026–29 term has taken on a distinctly political character, with sons of at least five prominent political leaders filing nominations on the final day — 26 September 2026 — at the RCA's offices in Jaipur. Polling is scheduled for 29 September at the RCA Academy, Jaipur.
Key Candidates and Their Political Connections
Dhananjay Singh Khinvsar, son of Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar, and Parakram Singh Rathore, son of former minister Rajendra Rathore, have both filed nominations for the post of President. The contest for the top job is therefore a three-way affair, with a third group fielding Brij Kishore Sharma as their presidential candidate.
Pawan Dilawar, son of Education Minister Madan Dilawar, has entered the contest for Vice-President. Ashish Tiwari, son of Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, has filed papers for the post of Treasurer. Mohit Yadav, son of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Jaswant Yadav, submitted nominations for both Secretary and Vice-President.
Three Panels, Three Agendas
The electoral field has crystallised around three distinct groups. The first is aligned with presidential hopeful Dhananjay Singh Khinvsar. The second is associated with Parakram Singh Rathore, whose panel has fielded Manoj Sharma for Vice-President, Sushil Jain for Treasurer, Sushil Jain and Ratan Singh for Joint Secretary, and Dharmveer Singh for Executive Member.
The third group, led by Brij Kishore Upadhyay, has filed Ratan Singh for Vice-President, Pinkesh Porwal for Secretary, Rajesh Saraswat for Joint Secretary, Vishnu Agarwal for Treasurer, and Arisht Singhvi for Executive Member.
What Dhananjay Khinvsar Said
Speaking after submitting his nomination, Dhananjay Singh Khinvsar said, 'We have not received any communication from the government; that is why we have come to file our nominations.' He added that he had no information about the other panel — a remark that signals the contest may be proceeding without a unified government-backed slate.
Notably, district cricket associations linked to the BJP have indicated they will follow directions issued by the government and the party organisation, adding a layer of political suspense to the outcome.
Election Schedule and What Happens Next
With nominations closed on 26 September, scrutiny is set for 27 September and withdrawals on 28 September. The final list of candidates will be published on 28 September, followed by polling and counting on 29 September at the RCA Academy. The final composition of the field will only become clear after the withdrawal window shuts, and any behind-the-scenes realignments among the three panels could yet reshape the race before then.
Point of View
A sitting education minister, a Rajya Sabha MP and a serving MLA all contest the same election, the question of merit in cricket administration becomes secondary to factional arithmetic. The fact that Khinvsar explicitly noted he had received no government communication suggests the ruling establishment has not yet anointed a unified candidate — which is itself newsworthy. If BJP-aligned district associations hold the balance, the real election may be decided in ministerial offices before a single vote is cast on 29 September.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RCA election 2026 about?
The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) is holding elections to form its executive committee for the 2026–29 term. Nominations closed on 26 September 2026, with polling scheduled for 29 September at the RCA Academy in Jaipur.
Which sons of political leaders are contesting the RCA election?
At least five: Dhananjay Singh Khinvsar (son of Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar) and Parakram Singh Rathore (son of former minister Rajendra Rathore) for President; Pawan Dilawar (son of Education Minister Madan Dilawar) for Vice-President; Ashish Tiwari (son of Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari) for Treasurer; and Mohit Yadav (son of BJP MLA Jaswant Yadav) for Secretary and Vice-President.
How many groups are contesting the RCA election?
Three groups have emerged: one associated with Dhananjay Singh Khinvsar, a second with Parakram Singh Rathore, and a third led by Brij Kishore Upadhyay, which has fielded Brij Kishore Sharma as its presidential candidate.
When is the RCA election polling date?
Polling and counting are scheduled for 29 September 2026 at the RCA Academy in Jaipur. The final candidate list will be published on 28 September, after the withdrawal window closes.
What role will BJP-linked district associations play in the RCA election?
District cricket associations linked to the BJP have indicated they will follow directions from the government and party organisation, meaning their bloc vote could prove decisive in a three-way contest where no single panel has an obvious majority.
