Modi faction confident of thumping victory in RCA elections

Jaipur: The Lalit Modi faction remains confident of a thumping victory in the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) elections which were held today but they will have to wait till January 6 for the results.

The high-voltage polls, which have become a thorn in the flesh of BCCI because of Modi who contested for the post of RCA president, were held under the supreme court appointed Principal Observer justice N M Kasliwal, who as per the directives of Supreme Court, sealed the ballot boxes and send it to the apex court with his full report.

"The observer would send the results to the apex court with his reports and it would decide the further course of action on January 6th, when the matter comes up for next hearing," said Abhinav Sharma, the lawyer of RCA.

The results are likely to be announced on January 6th when the matter comes up for hearing in the apex court. The polling went off peacefully at the RCA academy today and the Modi Faction is claiming an easy victory.

There are 33 District Cricket Associations as voters and the result would be based on the 29 votes whereas four districts are amid controversies and their votes would only be counted if the need arises. Both the warring factions of these districts have been allowed to caste votes because the matter is in litigation.

There are nine candidates for six posts of vice-president and seven are in fray for four Joint Secretary posts. For the four posts of organizing secretary, there are six candidates. Three executive members were elected unanimously as there were only three nominations.

The RCA faces a threat of suspension if former IPL commissioner Modi reclaims the post of RCA President as he is likely to win against Ram Pal Sharma.

Modi was elected as RCA president in 2005 when BJP's Vasundhara Raje was Rajasthan Chief Minister.

Interestingly, Raje is again back in control after BJP swept the recent Rajasthan Assembly elections but the incumbent RCA president CP Joshi and BCCI are trying hard to stop Modi from returning to cricket administration.

RCA clarifies its stand to BCCI

RCA clarifies its stand to BCCI

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has sent a letter to BCCI clarifying its stand regarding the contentious issue of former IPL chairman Lalit Modi who was allowed to continue as president of Nagaur Cricket Association and subsequently contest the RCA polls here today.

The BCCI had banned Modi for life on charges of financial irregularities and it was livid by his intentions of clawing back through RCA.

BCCI had threatened RCA with suspension and losing all benefits if Modi was allowed to contest the RCA polls.

Officiating secretary of the RCA, K K Sharma, has written a letter to Sanjay Patel, Secretary of BCCI, clarifying that RCA is governed by the provisions of Rajasthan Sports Act, 2005, which is a legislative mandate holding the field in respect of Regulation of Sports in Rajasthan. "The elections to RCA are taking place in terms of orders passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in SLP (C) No. 36140/2010," the letter said.

"The decision in respect of eligibility/dis-eligibility of any candidate including Lalit Modi to contest the forthcoming elections of Rajasthan Cricket Association has been taken by the Observers Hon'ble Mr. Justice N M Kasliwal and Hon'ble Mr. Justice S P Pathak, who were only entitled to take such a decision as per the orders of the Hon'ble Apex Court."

The letter said: "The Observers have rejected all objections raised against candidature of Lalit Modi and have by a speaking order permitted Mr. Lalit Modi to contest the elections. The RCA cannot flout the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and interfere in the conduct of elections by Supreme Court appointed Observers.

"We also assume that BCCI is not asking RCA to act contrary to the orders of Hon'ble Supreme Court or asking it to interfere in the conduct of elections being held under the order of Hon'ble Supreme Court", the letter said.

"We have already told you that there is a provision providing a procedure for disaffiliation under the Rajasthan Sports Act, 2005 as well as RCA Constitution. "The BCCI advisory dated 4.10.2013 is subject matter of litigation pending in Rajasthan High Court In S.B.C.W.P. No. 18741/2013 where BCCI is a party where interim order was operating against the said advisory till 5.12.2013. "The copy of the order was handed out on 17.12.2013 and was taken into consideration by the observers while permitting Modi to contest the elections. Like BCCI to implement any decision, faction needs to follow the procedure in its Constitution so also RCA is required to follow the provisions in its Constitution," the letter said.

On the other hand, RCA counsel Abhinav Sharma said that BCCI can't disaffiliate RCA because it would be contempt of court. "The BCCI was a party in the SLP filed by Kishore Rungta and it was well aware of the happenings and also did not act in time. There is a process laid down and BCCI has to follow it for taking any action against RCA. If it decides to act otherwise, in haste, the options of moving court is always open," said Abhinav Sharma.