RCA rivals dispute each other's legitimacy

Lalit Modi's group, which was allegedly axed from Rajasthan Cricket Association's affairs, has not only suspended the opposition camp but also alleged the Amin Pathan lobby of having sided with the BCCI. It will now be up to the state government to decide the legitimate ruling group.

A day after Pathan and his colleagues took over the RCA office as acting office-bearers, Mehmood Abdi, who was elected as deputy president earlier this year, blamed Pathan's group for having revolted and sided with the BCCI once "Rajasthan boys were allowed to play in the BCCI tournaments under high court order".

Abdi questioned the motives of Pathan, who was a vice-president in Modi's regime, and Shakti Singh, the acting secretary who was a joint secretary earlier. A Modi aide, Abdi referred to Amin's group as "a handful of disgruntled and power-hungry politically-minded people who are trying to seek compensation through capture of position in the RCA for their constant failure to achieve any political position".

Pathan, in response, said Abdi's move to suspend him held "no bearing" since he holds the support of a majority of districts. "Even when Modi was elected as the president, he got 21 votes. We have 23 of the 33 members against him now, which is more than the requisite 2/3rd majority," Pathan told ESPNcricinfo. "We have already submitted all the documents to the state sports council and are now waiting to hear from the BCCI. We want to meet the BCCI and try and end the impasse at the earliest."

Abdi also alleged that the "so-called SGM" was convened without following the due procedures specified by the RCA constitution and the Rajasthan Sports Act. "The presence of 23 members shown attending this meeting was again a hoax and fraud. Firstly, 23 districts could have been present. Secondly, many district associations were shown through unauthorised proxies and rank outsiders," Abdi claimed, adding that the no-confidence resolution motion requires 3/4th majority as per RCA regulations.

The RCA has been involved in a standoff with the BCCI ever since Modi was announced as elected president. Since Modi was able to contest the RCA elections since the association is governed by the Rajasthan Sports Act, the BCCI suspended the RCA. While the disciplinary proceedings are on, the Jaipur High Court appointed a selection panel and directed the BCCI to field a Rajasthan XI team in the domestic tournaments.