Rajasthan Cricket Association chucks out Lalit Modi in loyalist coup

Jaipur: In an apparent bid to end the stand-off with the BCCI, the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has “removed” former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi as its president. Once a Modi loyalist and vice-president Amin Pathan, who led the “coup”, will take over as acting president.

Three of Mr Modi’s supporters have also been removed. The RCA called an extraordinary general meeting on Saturday, wherein the resolution to impeach Mr Modi was passed after 23 district associations voted against the former BCCI vice-president. Others removed were deputy president Mehmood M. Abdi, secretary Somendra Tiwari and treasurer Pawan Goyal.

Mr Abdi said the meeting was unconstitutional and the group was trying to destabilise the organisation at the behest of N. Srinivasan. “These are completely fake claims. Firstly, the bylaws of the RCA do not have any provision for this meeting. Secondly, who are these people to remove a body that came through elections which were conducted under a SC-appointed observer?” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Modi is believed to have sent a mail suspending those RCA office-bearers who participated in Saturday’s meeting. At the general meeting, the entire Nagaur district cricket association, of which Mr Modi was president, has also been suspended. To contest the RCA election, it is imperative to be an office-bearer of a district cricket association.

“We took the decision in the interest of the players,” Mr Pathan said.