We've not flouted any rules: KSCA

The Karnataka State Cricket Association remained unperturbed in the face of a communique from the Supreme Court Committee which had directed it not to go ahead with its elections scheduled for August 7.

Following a complaint, the SC committee, entrusted with the job of implementing Lodha panel’s recommendations intended at improving BCCI administration, asked KSCA on Wednesday to put on hold its elections till further directions are issued.

KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mrutyunjaya, however, felt they were confident of convincing the committee to allow them to conduct the elections.

“We have indeed received a letter from the (SC) committee (asking us not to hold elections),” Mrutyunjaya told Deccan Herald. “I can confidently say that we have not flouted any of the SC’s directions. We have already written to the committee explaining our position. I think (in the complaint) the impression given to them (the committee) is that we announced our elections after the Supreme Court’s verdict (on July 18th). The fact is the election process was set in motion much before the verdict (on July 11th) came.

“We have also written that the process of implementing the SC-approved recommendations would commence from the forthcoming elections itself. We will adhere to cap on age for office bearers, restriction on number terms etc. The appointment of ombudsman, nominating an accountant general will all have to be done once the polls are over. Moreover, we took the legal opinion immediately after the passing of the SC verdict and only then decided to continue with proposed elections,” he explained.

The entire ruling group, led by secretary Brijesh Patel is seeking re-election in next month’s elections with the possible exception of president P R Ashokanand, who is pushing 75 while the age-limit to hold an office is 70, according to by-laws drafted by the Lodha panel.