By S. Kannan in New Delhi

WITH just four weeks to go for the Hockey India elections in the Capital, things are hotting up in a big way.

While Hockey India told SK Mendiratta, the government observer appointed for the elections on Wednesday, that 25 out of 31 units have been affiliated, units that are still in the lurch could get relief soon.

Insiders pointed out a sequence of developments over the last few days clearly suggest that there will be total transparency in the election process.

In fact, there is a move to approach the High Court at the earliest, so that Kerala can also take part in the election process.

Apparently, there is a High Court stay order against them.

As regards the contentious units like Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Puducherry, the review committee is likely to meet next week to have discussions on their affiliation. The observer has made it clear that the representation from state units has to be full, which means in coming days there will be more action.

In fact, as per the guidelines prescribed by the government, 25 per cent reservation in the elections will be “ for sportspersons” and “ tainted officials will not be allowed to contest”. It is not clear whether the 25 per cent

reservation for sportspersons includes just former hockey players or other athletes too.

The government is also clear that the guidelines should be observed wherein any person already functioning as a sports federation officer bearer cannot contest the Hockey India elections.

According to sources in the Punjab Olympic Association, there was a heated debate between Punjab Hockey Association secretary Pargat Singh and Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi on Wednesday night.

It is believed Kalmadi told Pargat to come to New Delhi and sort out matters. On his part, Pargat put his foot down and said when his state Olympic association was recognising the merged bodies in Punjab, why was Hockey India not giving them affiliation.

It is also clear that the Mumbai Hockey Association officials, including its executive committee member Joaquim Caravalho, had arguments with Kalmadi over phone. Mumbai says there is no way the units in Maharashtra can merge. The Mumbai Hockey Association is in fact contemplating filing a case in the High Court next week at being treated shabbily.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that some of the top Hockey India officials have been discreetly meeting the nowdefunct Indian Hockey Federation president KPS Gill. It is not clear as to why Hockey India is doing this. With Mendiratta now asking Hockey India to follow the rule book, it is expected that code of conduct for the elections will be strictly adhered to.