DDCA polls: Madan Lal in three-way contest for president's post

Mediaperson Rajat Sharma and SC bar association president Vikas Singh, too, in fray

madan-lal-pti (File) Madan Lal | PTI

The Delhi and District Cricket Association, which has been in news for all the wrong reasons in the past and for long considered beyond reform, is all set for elections under Delhi High Court order and supervision of court-appointed administrator, post amendments to its constitution.

Former Delhi skipper and 1983 World Cup hero Madan Lal threw his hat into the ring, filing his nomination papers for the post of president this afternoon. The other two contenders are mediaperson Rajat Sharma and SC bar association president Vikas Singh.

Pre-poll alliances are taking shape in the backstage. The election buzz is in the air as one steps into the foyer now known as MAK Pataudi Hall of Fame. Bitterly divided into multiple camps, each group is trying to ensure it retains power post a revamped constitution, which was changed as per the Justice Lodha Committee recommendations.

In one room at the corner of the lobby, which was once the bar, sat a group of previous office-bearers, led by former general secretary S.P. Bansal. They were keeping a watch on their group members going in to file nominations. Bansal has been accused of malpractice and misappropriation of funds in the DDCA scam that made headlines three years ago.

Madan Lal is supported by the Delhi cricketers lobby led by former India skipper Bishan Singh Bedi, Kirti Azad, and others. The group had been fighting against the old guard which had done little to improve cricket in Delhi and instead taken the DDCA on a road to infamy. Madan Lal will not find the going easy as he is engaged in a triangular contest with media personality Rajat Sharma and Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh.

“I have toiled on this very ground, played my cricket from Delhi. I think now is the time for change. I am confident that all cricketers will back and support me,” said Madan Lal after submitting his papers to the returning officer. “I firmly believe I am ready for this responsibility and I believe cricketers should come forward and claim their rightful place in Delhi cricket,” said Lal, who has also been the head of the Cricket Advisory Committee of the DDCA formed by present administrator, retired Supreme Court judge Vikramjit Sen, who was appointed by the Delhi HC.

Rajat Sharma, who is reportedly backed by former DDCA president Arun Jaitley's close aide and IOA president Narinder Dhruv Batra, was keen on contesting only if he was the unanimous choice. However, on May 23 evening, he was reportedly persuaded by the group, with Vinod Tihara, convenor of the allegedly notorious Sports Working Committee, filing Sharma's nomination papers on his behalf.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on Vikas Singh, and whether he will withdraw. The SCBA president, who is contesting in his own individual capacity, is, reportedly, firm in his resolve as of now. A large chunk of DDCA members who do not come regularly to the ground are, interestingly, lawyers.

The last date for filing nominations is May 25, followed by scrutiny and withdrawal by May 30. Elections are scheduled to be held on June 30.

Interestingly, Madan Lal was offered support by a group of voters led by another former Test cricketer Chetan Chauhan as well as acting BCCI president C.K. Khanna, who has a fair chunk of voters with him. The latter has been removed from the post of DDCA vice president on High Court orders. He was described by previous DDCA administrator Justice Mukul Mudgal as a “pernicious influence”, in his report to the court.

Both Chauhan and Khanna groups were engaged in hectic negotiations, with Khanna, reportedly, wanting more representation for office-bearers and other elected board members. DDCA is registered under the Companies Act 1956. At one stage, it was learnt that Chauhan had even decided to withdraw his support to Madan Lal. He is also under tremendous pressure from the Batra lobby to throw his weight behind Sharma.

Meanwhile, with Khanna unable to contest, his wife Shashi Khanna filed the nomination for the post of vice president. Former DDCA president S.P. Bansal has fielded his brother Rakesh Kumar Bansal for the post of vice president.

As per the rules approved for election, a member can file nominations for more than one post but has to withdraw from the extra post before May 30 as he or she is eligible only for one post.

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