The much awaited DDCA elections are promising a triangular contest with Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh forming a third front —The Members' Front
With the Indian Premier League (IPL) season over, it's time for more entertainment and off the field drama at Ferozeshah Kotla premises.
The much awaited Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) elections are promising a triangular contest with Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh forming a third front —The Members' Front — to challenge the two powerful but controversial groups controlled by acting BCCI president CK Khanna and former secretary Sneh Bansal.
Singh's job is not going to be easy as Khanna group has fielded former India all-rounder Madan Lal while the Bansal group has roped in media baron Rajat Sharma for the top post.
The only difference this time around is that Singh has the blessing of many former Delhi and India players such as Surender Khanna, Manoj Prabhakar, Ajay Sharma, Robin Singh Junior and even Virender Sehwag, who have been vocal about weeding out corruption from the cricket body.
There are about 3,600 members currently eligible to vote on June 30 but with proxy voting has been done away with and members are required to come physically to vote for the first time in so many decades, the past corruption taint may come to haunt both Khanna and Bansal groups during the long campaign ahead.
Former India skipper Bishan Singh Bedi, who was leading the campaign against corruption during Supreme Court, has decided to put his weight behind Lal and this has not gone down well with many former players.
"Madan Lal is a very fine player and I've a lot of respect for him. But the people or group backing him (read Khanna group) is the same one who has ruined and looted DDCA for last 36 years or so," was how Singh said, adding: "I would not have even contested and backed him in this elections, had he (Lal) been contested independently."
Khanna has been at the helm of DDCA for nearly 37 years and despite being ruled ineligible to contest elections by Justice Lodha recommendations in 2016, he has fielded his wife Shashi Khanna for the post of vice-president.
Former India opener Chetan Chauhan, who is now sports minister in UP government, has also decided to back Khanna and in return fielded his brother Pushpendra Chauhan.
Former DDCA secretary Bansal, who was caught red-handed by internal audit team for illegally transferring Rs 1.55 crore to his own bank account, has also fielded his younger brother Rakesh Bansal for VP post.
That's why 'Members' Front' is offering an alternative to all the members who were fed up of the corruption and malpractices used in selection trials. And Singh said he is determined to fight this menace, if elected.
"I remember few years back my younger son was declared over-age in U-14 trials by DDCA just a day before the team was to leave to play matches. This, they claimed, was based on the result of medical test conducted as per rules.
"My son was declared 19-year-old despite the fact I wasn't even married for that long. I brought this matter to the notice of the then DDCA president, who advised me to fight this out in the court. I fought and won this case in the high court but then what was the use because that took time.
"I only wish that this should not happen with other kids who passionately pursue this game to make their career," said Singh.
Going by an estimate, many in the DDCA only expect between 1,200 to 1,700 members to vote personally on June 30. And if Wednesday night dinner is any indication, where more than 400 members assembled under an hotel roof, then Singh's campaign is on the right track.
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