Despite widespread resentment, Hockey India is likely to conduct its elections next month, almost two months before the expiry of the six-month deadline set by the international hockey federation.

Sources told HT that a core group would be meeting soon in this regard. October 19 is being talked of as one of the likely dates for members to exercise their franchise.

To garner support, Hockey India has reportedly launched a ‘special effort’ to get its ‘own people’ elected in the unified bodies at the state level.

“There’s opposition from almost every quarter, so we have decided to conduct elections with the support of like-minded people,” said a Hockey India insider.

Meanwhile, the erstwhile Indian Women’s Hockey Federation secretary Amrit Bose has dashed off a letter to the FIH alleging coercion by Hockey India in the affiliation process.

In a letter to FIH vice-president Antonio von Ondarza, Bose urged him to advise Hockey India from resorting to undemocratic and illegal activities.

She, however, claimed that Hockey India had ignored the existing men and women’s state units and formed parallel bodies in the states. Mohd Aslam was not available for comment.