It was a clean sweep for Amitabh Choudhary. As speculated by members of Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA), the former IPS and incumbent president having the credit of constructing an international cricket stadium in Ranchi defeated rival camp led by Praveen Singh, DIG of the Special Task Force (STF).
Chaudhary bagged 459 votes against Singh, who could secure only 134. One vote was cancelled. All candidates from the Choudhary camp won with a comfortable margin. Election to the posts of JSCA committee of management for the session 2013-17 was held on Friday for the posts of a president, two vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer and five committee members.
Amid allegations and counter-allegations by the two camps, JSCA polling passed peacefully, barring small scuffles at the stadium entrance. The Choudhary camp was banking on achievements in the last few years while Singh and his supporters stressed for a change against the monopoly of over two decades.
“We have shown work in the last few years and have presented the monument — in the form of the stadium. The hype which was being created did not work,” said incumbent secretary Rajesh Verma from the Choudhary camp.
Though, it was a smooth ride for Chaudhary, whose application for VRS has been accepted, Singh had to put in extra efforts to gather any support for himself. Sunil Kumar Singh, also a contestant for vice-president, alleged that polling booths had been put in a way to make a distinction, to identity the voter later.
It was a hectic day for contestants as well as voters, with a rigorous exercise at the gate under the scorching sun. Newly-inducted women members, 50 of them, had to wait at the north gate for two hours till polls ended. After much uproar, they were allowed inside to attend the annual general meeting.
Women members of JSCA said Singh was inhuman, for calling them from different parts of the State and then making them wait outside without allowing them to vote.
Singh objected to their entry as according to JSCA bylaws, they do not have right to vote since they had not completed two years as members. No person other than the 694 valid voters was allowed inside the gate; while 594 cast their votes. According to JSCA officials, it is the highest turnout in the history of JSCA elections.
The opposition camp had earlier accused the office bearers of manipulating the electoral roll by inducting 50 women — wives and relatives of members — illegally.