Defiant IOA to go ahead with GBM
Despite clear directives from the world body to exclude chargesheeted officials from contesting elections, the suspended Indian Olympic Association’s general body meeting is likely to “go ahead” here on Sunday, hence putting India’s chances of a return to the Olympic fold in disarray.
The International Olympic Committee, in a letter last week, had asked the IOA to amend its consitution incorporating provisions to bar tainted administrators from contesting elections. It had subsequently warned of further action if the amendments were not carried out at Sunday’s GBM.
The IOA, led by Abhey Singh Chautala and Lalit Bhanot, who were elected president and secretary general in the elections on December 5 last which were not recognised by the IOC, though has remained defiant. IOA officials assert that amendments to bar corruption-tainted officials cannot be carried out as Indian law permits chargesheeted persons to contest even Parliamentary elections.
Bhanot and V.K. Verma were chargesheeted in the 2010 Commonwealth Games scam along with former IOA head Suresh Kalmadi, and will not be able to contest elections if the anti-graft amendments are incorporated.
A majority of IOA officials are opposed to the amendments proposed by the IOC and Sunday’s GBM may turn out to be a mere forum where officials have a general discussion without taking any decision.
“We respect the IOC but it has to understand that the IOA cannot go against the law of the land and Indian law permits chargesheeted persons from contesting even Parliamentary elections and an aggrieved person can approach a court of law and we will be embroiled in litigations in that situation.”
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