Tussle between rival factions in JKCA intensifies

Srinagar: The tussle between the Farooq Abdullah faction and the rebel group intensified on Tuesday with Imran Raza Ansari holding a meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) to chalk out a roadmap for the sport in the state.

The meeting comes a day after Ansari, who is sports minister of the state, said that he was elected by 44 of the 64 affiliated units as the president.

This was immediately challenged by the Abdullah group which moved court and got a stay order.

Abdullah on Tuesday once again asserted that the new body was illegal and vowed to fight it through legal channel.

"The office bearers of the Cricket Association met today to chalk out the itinerary for the forthcoming season. The game has already suffered a lot and it is high time that the focus is back on cricket," Ansari told PTI on Tuesday.

However, Abdullah, who was elected president of the body for a three-year term in May 2014, termed Monday's election as illegal saying the present state government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was indulging in "goonda raj".

"I am very sorry that the present government instead of worrying about people and situation are further dividing people. They think by (using) the government (machinery), they will indulge in goonda raj (hooliganism)," the former Chief Minister, who has been the president of JKCA since 1980, said.

"That is not going to be acceptable. We are not goondas (hooligans) here. We are going to fight against them legally. We will knock every court's door but we are not going to be cowed down by their tactics," he added.

The faction headed by Abdullah on Monday obtained a court order from Jammu which kept the fresh elections in abeyance till next date of hearing on July 31.

"They broke the locks and unfortunately they had the DIG with them. Can you imagine is that what the government is for? It was a completely government maneuvered thing and I feel very sad that Mufti Sahib has come down to this level which I did not expect from him," Abdullah said.

Abdullah said his faction wanted to file an FIR against the "break in" of the JKCA office but police refused.

"They (rebels) came over when even there was a court order against the meeting. Then after that meeting, they came and broke all locks of this place. Is that not against the court order? We filed an FIR, the SHO first refused to accept the FIR."

"He said he will first talk to DG, IG because there was a police officer with them when they went (inside)," Abdullah said adding "the SHO  was frightened to accept an FIR (complaint)," Abdullah also said.

Abdullah reiterated that he will pursue the legal fight saying, "I am not going to take a gun or a lathi to beat them but I feel sad that Imran (Ansari) is a part of it. I worked with his father (Molvi Iftikhar Ansari). Even when he was a Congress (member), I took him as a minister," Abdullah further added.

Asked if he will take up the issue with the BCCI, Abdullah said "No why should I take it up with the BCCI. Now, when I go to Delhi I will talk to some people."

Ansari rubbished the charges levelled by Abdullah saying the constitution of the JKCA was followed while holding elections on Monday.

"We will deal with the legal aspect of the issue in due course of time. We have not received any orders so far," the minister added.