It was well known that disputes had erupted in the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) and Goa Cricket Association (GCA), with complaints filed against their representatives - Daljit Singh and Rohan Gauns Dessai, respectively - to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
BCCI NEWS
Electoral officer rejects objections on Harbhajan, Shukla, Bhat nominations
There was opposition to the nomination of Harbhajan Singh from the Punjab Cricket Association © Getty
It has now emerged that there was opposition to the nominations of Harbhajan Singh from the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), Rajeev Shukla from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), and Raghuram Bhat from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). AK Joti, the BCCI electoral officer, dismissed the objections after verifying the complaints.
There were also representations against Pranav Amin from the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) and Nabam Vivek from the Arunachal Cricket Association, which Joti also quashed. In total, 35 state associations sent in their representatives, with objections raised in seven of them.
A certain Rakesh Handa, a life member of the PCA, claimed that Harbhajan's nomination was unconstitutional. It was alleged that the appointment of the former India spinner as the 'Chief Cricketing Advisor' of the PCA has been challenged and a complaint against him is still pending before the Ombudsman.
It was further alleged Harbhajan holds a dual role in the PCA and it constituted a direct conflict of interest. A reply was sought from Amarjit Singh, president of the PCA, who clarified that Harbhajan's role as advisor is honorary. After verifying the facts, Joti dismissed the complaint.
Similarly, Joti sought a response from the UPCA, and its CEO, Ankit Chatterjee, provided clarification regarding the association and nomination of Shukla. The electoral officer ruled that the "Verification of Nomination Application filed on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association nominating Mr. Rajeev Shukla as the representative of UPCA is found to be complete in all aspects." Shukla is set to be re-elected as the vice-president.
Regarding the KSCA, it was alleged that Bhat, a former India spinner, could not be a nominee of the association due to a criminal case connected to the June 4 RCB-Chinnaswamy tragedy. After receiving a reply from Shubhendu Ghosh, CEO of KSCA, Joti rejected the objection against Bhat, who is now set to assume the role of treasurer.
Vipul Phadke, president of the GCA, challenged Rohan Dessai's eligibility to represent the association in the BCCI general elections, alleging that Dessai's nomination had not been forwarded by the authorized representative of the GCA. However, Joti ruled that Dessai's application was complete in all respects and that Phadke's allegations were not legally tenable.
Regarding the HCA, it was alleged that Daljeet Singh was ineligible and that his nomination to the AGM was invalid, but the electoral officer dismissed the claim. Similarly, it was contended that Amin did not qualify to represent the Baroda Cricket Association, but Joti found the charge untenable.
AGM to elect Manhas as president
Meanwhile, the BCCI is set to elect a new set of office bearers with Mithun Manhas as the president at the AGM on Sunday (September 28). While Devajit Saikia will continue as secretary, Raghuram Bhat, will assume the role of treasurer. All new office-bearers will be elected unopposed.
There will be two new selectors - Pragyan Ojha and RP Singh - in the senior men's selection committee while the women's panel will have four new members. S Sharath will be the new chairman of the junior selection committee.
Other key items of the AGM Agenda
- Election and induction of 1 (one) representative of the General Body in the Apex Council of the BCCI
- Induction of 2 (two) representatives of the Indian Cricketer's Association in the Apex Council of the BCCI
- Election and induction of 2 (two) representatives of the General Body in the Governing Council of the IPL
- Induction of 1 (one) representative of the Indian Cricketer's Association in the Governing Council of the IPL
- Adoption of the Report of the Secretary for the year 2024-25 under review
- Copies of the audited Statement of Accounts of BCCI for the year FY 2024-2025 including schedule for any tour or tours
- Adoption of the Treasurer's Report and the audited accounts for the year FY 2024 - 2025
- Adoption of the Annual Budget for FY 2025-26
- Appointment of the Auditor or Auditors for FY 2025-26 and fix their remuneration
- Appointment of the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer
- Appointment of the Standing Committees, Cricket Committees and Umpire Committee as mentioned in Rules 25, 26 and 27 respectively
- Report of the Internal Committee of BCCI formed under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy
- Formation of the Women's Premier League Committee
- Consideration of any motion, notice whereof is given by a Full Member to the Secretary, 21 days before the meeting
- To appoint the BCCI's Representative or Representatives on the International Cricket Council and/or any similar organization
- Ratification of rules framed by the Apex Council, in terms of Rule 15 of BCCI's Rules and Regulations
- Consideration of any business, which the President may consider necessary to be included in the agenda.
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