Ranbir Singh Mahendra

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Ranbir Singh Mahendra (Hindi: रणबीर सिंह ‍महेन्‍द्रा) is a politician from Haryana, India and a former president of the BCCI . He became the only person to have ever defeated Sharad Pawar in an election. He is a member of the Indian National Congress. Ranbir is the son of former Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal. Though it is believed that the reason for him being elected President of the BCCI had a lot to do with him having the support of the influential Jagmohan Dalmiya, not many people know that he is the senior most member of the BCCI, having been on the Board for over 31 years. He has been the Honorary Joint Secretary and Honorary Secretary of the BCCI for a period of five years each and has been a member of various committees of the BCCI. Jagmohan Dalmiya and Ranbir Singh Mahendra were in opposite camps within the BCCI until 2001, when Mr. Mahendra supported Mr. Dalmiya's candidacy, ensuring his victory by three votes. It is widely believed that the credit for the rise of Haryana Cricket from a minnow on the Indian domestic cricket circuit to one of the powerhouses and feeding ground for Indian Cricket goes to Mr. Ranbir Singh Mahendra who worked selflessly for the development of Cricket in the State of Haryana and India. Known for his credibility and righteousness, Mr. Ranbir Singh Mahendra has amassed a large support base in Haryana. It is reported that the socio-political workers of the erstwhile Haryana Vikas Party, a party headed by his late father, now look up to him to carry forward his legacy.