Lalit Modi Elected Rajasthan President, BCCI Suspends Defiant State Association
After several delays, court observers on Tuesday declared Lalit Modi winner of the December 19 Rajasthan Cricket Association elections. But BCCI is strongly opposing a man which it banned for financial wrongdoings.
After more than a four-month delay, former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi was named president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association by Supreme Court-appointed observers in Jaipur on Tuesday. But within hours of Modi being named RCA president, the Board of Control for Cricket in India indefinitely suspended the state unit for defying its constitution.
The Top 10 developments:
1. In September last year, the BCCI banned Modi for life after a disciplinary committee that had former Board vice-president and BJP heavyweight Arun Jaitley in it, found the former IPL boss guilty of financial wrongdoings.
2. In October, Modi challenged the BCCI decision in court, clear in his views that he wanted to remain in Indian cricket administration. Modi was a BCCI vice-president representing Punjab Cricket Association from 2005 to 2010.
3. In December, Modi filed his nomination to contest the RCA elections. He wanted to end the tenure of Congress heavyweight C.P. Joshi. Modi had been RCA president in 2005.
4. The BCCI warns RCA that Modi should not contest because he is banned from cricket activities in India. BCCI warns of dire consequences even disaffiliation. RCA refuses to oblige the Board.
5. Modi's nomination is accepted by Supreme Court officers who were appointed to conduct the RCA elections. Modi's team argues that he is contesting on the basis of the Rajasthan Sports Act 2005 that allows him to contest and BCCI rules don't apply.
6. The elections take place in Jaipur on December 19. C.P. Joshi refuses to contest. Little known Rampal Singh opposes Modi but the mood is clearly in favour of the ousted IPL chairman, who is credited with improving cricket infrastructure in Rajasthan.
7. The 33 votes casted by district units are not counted by the court-appointed supervisors. They are put in a sealed envelope and sent to the Supreme Court.
8. After several court delays, on April 30, the Supreme Court orders court officers to open the envelope and declare the results on May 6. Court also says that BCCI can contest the controversial Sports Act 2005 and disputes can be heard at "appropriate forums."
9. The verdict goes as expected. Modi is a clear winner but only just. BCCI suspends Rajasthan for flouting its constitution, clause 32 (vii). BCCI appoints ad-hoc committee to run RCA affairs, saying it will protect the interest of the cricketers. At least two players represent India in age-group teams.
10. RCA says Modi has been democratically elected and will get full support. Modi, who lives in exile in UK, says he has proved a point by winning the elections. Addresses his group via video conference.