Even as the affiliation process is not complete, the disaffiliation rot has set in.
It was expected.
The same forces that did want elections to be held now – because they did not enjoy majority in the presenty affiliated electoral college – are at it again.
Maharashtra unit, given affiliation, has been now stripped off by its State Olympic body.
Only three months ago the group led by Victor Ellis and Ikram Khan was given affiliation by the state body and was approved by the Hockey India. This unit names figures in the official website of Hockey India and the voters name from the unit is included in the voters list released by Sports Ministry.
Meanwhile the election process was halted abruptly on the stay order of Rajashtan High Court.
Now those in minority has got breathing space to manipulate. So, it is happening openly. A unit which was legal, has been now not so.
As the office bearers of Maharashtra unit, Ikram Khan was even asked to negotiate between Hockey India and the men’s players who shunned practice sessions.
This strange case of disaffiliation has started with Maharashtra and it evokes keen interest and analysis. Because, this unit was responsible for denying nomination (voting right) to its state resident Suresh Kalmadi. This is what insiders claim, which denied opportunity for Kalmadi to contest Hockey India election. Kalmadi though has denied this in many interviews.
If one reads with what Pargat Singh recently claimed – Kalmadi wanted to become Hockey India president and is delaying the electoral process as he could not muster enough majority – the picture is clear.
Those state units who took strong stand with respect to their choice of Hockey India elections, like Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Punjab and others, have been put into enormous difficulty to retain their identity.
It was therefore the turn of Maharashtra unit to face the wrath of those in the seat of powers now. Now we will hear why the unit was disaffiliated, with different stake holders – state Olympic body, Hockey India officials – coming out with their own version, and everybody’s attempt will be confuse and compound the issues.
Because, there is no genuine heart-felt intension to conduct election! Not conducting election gives status quo advantage to those who are enjoying the seat of power right now, and who would want to vacate the seat? That too when it has come to them as a gift!
It remains to be seen how the listed electoral college can be tampered with now and what view the sports ministry would take.
What happened to Maharashtra is process reversal, blatant violation of ethics, and it is not good for early resolution of election tangle. It is going to open can of worms, leading to further chaos.