Barred officials put up proxies, COA helpless

NEWDELHI: The wait continues for the RM Lodha Committee report to be implemented in full in the cricket Board with debate on key issues like one state, one vote still awaiting resolution in Supreme Court. However, disqualified officials are looking to exploit loopholes, making a mockery of the effort to usher in reforms in electoral process and cleanse cricket associations of personal fiefdoms.

Acting BCCI president CK Khanna, who has held various posts in the Delhi association (DDCA) for over three decades, is one of the senior officials who is not qualified to become an officebearer afresh. However, he has pitched his wife, Shashi, for the post of vice-president, a post he held not long ago. Former DDCA president and general secretary, Sneh Bansal, has put forward his brother, Rakesh Bansal, raising concerns that associations will continue to be in the iron grip of the same officials.

Vinod Rai, head of Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators, said when contacted that it was best dealt with by the High Court-named DDCA administrator Vikramajit Sen. However, there is a sense of helplessness among authorities.

“It may be wrong ethically, but there is a feeling that legally it is possible to appoint your relatives as they remain separate individuals,” said an official, who is not authorised to comment.

DDCA administrator Sen felt that only the court can stop officials from putting up proxies. The feeling is that someone will have to challenge such steps in the court. Both Shashi and Rakesh are DDCA members and enjoy the backing of members who have been in the camps of Khanna and Bansal for years.

CK Khanna defended his fielding his wife in the Delhi unit elections. “There is nothing illegal about it,” he said when asked.

The vice-president’s post is among the safest as it usually falls to the president or general secretary to provide answers if any major issue crops up. The faction backing Rakesh Bansal has put up seasoned journalist Rajat Sharma for president and longtime DDCA sports committee head Vinod Tihara as general secretary. Rajat Sharma is also patron of Uttaranchal Cricket Association (Uttarakhand state), which means his election could flout the one man, one post rule.

It is learnt some of those who held positions in DDCA are also pushing their relatives and confidantes into the electoral fray.

It may be wrong ethically, but there is a feeling that legally it is possible to appoint your relatives. AN OFFICIAL There is nothing illegal about it. I don’t want to comment on the issue any further. CK KHANNA, Acting BCCI president whose wife is standing for DDCA vice-president’s post