Lalit Modi to contest RCA elections

With the BJP’s return to power in Rajasthan under Vasundhara Raje, former IPL chief Lalit Modi is trying to come back to cricket administration in the state.

It was during Raje’s previous stint as the chief minister that Modi entered the Rajasthan cricket circuit and later became the BCCI vice-president.

It may be recalled that it was during Raje’s last regime that the Sports Act was formulated to pave way for Modi after the ouster of the Rungta clan from the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) in 2005.

Modi would contest the upcoming RCA elections scheduled for December 19 despite a life ban imposed on him by the BCCI.

C P Joshi defeated Modi and became the RCA president after the Congress wrested power from Raje. He was backed by former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and bureaucrat Sanjay Dixit, Modi’s bete noire. But Joshi and Dixit split. Joshi is not contesting the elections this time.

A shift in power in the state resulted in many of his loyalists deserting him. Modi filed his nomination through his lawyer and Sriganganagar District Cricket Association president Mehmood Abdi on Monday, prompting a suspension threat from the BCCI. Abdi, in an interaction with the media, claimed that the Modi group filed nominations for all 21 posts in the association and had support of 24 district associations.

“The life ban on the former IPL chairman would have no impact as the Rajasthan Cricket Association is governed by the Rajasthan Sports Act, 2005. The ban has no bearing on him contesting the elections,” Abdi claimed. “His name is already on the eligibility list as president of the Nagaur District Cricket Association.”

Meanwhile, the BCCI shot off a letter to Joshi. “We find that the Nagaur Cricket Association has allowed Lalit Modi as president. We wish to remind you that as per the BCCI rules and regulations, all the members, including RCA, are bound to follow the decision taken and directives issued in the interest of BCCI, especially those related to disciplinary proceedings,” the letter from BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel stated.

“The RCA stands to lose its rights and privileges as BCCI member if the expelled administrator of BCCI is allowed to remain an office-bearer of one of your district units. Therefore, kindly comply with the BCCI directives and report the same to us,” it added.