DDCA directors oppose Sharma’s return, name new president

With the Ranji Trophy season getting underway early next month, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) looks set to be split into two factions, with two presidents. Four days after Rajat Sharma resigned as president, and a day after his return with the ombudsman putting the decision on hold, directors insisted there was no scope to take back his letter.

They held a meeting at Ferozeshah Kotla on Tuesday and refused to accept the ombudsman’s order letting Sharma and the management staff return. They instead picked Rakesh Bansal as acting president.

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In a press conference, the directors said as per rule 168 (1) of the Companies Act, Sharma’s resignation (clause pertains to a director’s resignation) is considered accepted once submitted and there is no provision to take it back. They also hinted at overhauling the selection panel and setting up a new Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), if required.

The directors, in the meeting, placed on record the resignations, including that of CEO Ravikant Chopra. “The CEO had already submitted his resignation on November 4,” said Rajan Manchanda, a director.

Bansal will hold charge till the next elections, they said. “As per the constitution, the association should hold elections within 45 days,” added Manchanda.

The directors criticised the ombudsman, Justice (retd) Badar Durrez Ahmed, for not taking up their complaints while acting promptly on the complaints from members of Sharma’s faction.

“We had lodged a complaint that DDCA treasurer OP Sharma should vacate office as per the Lodha recommendations since he is an MLA. But there was no response from the ombudsman. We also filed a few other complaints. The response to them hasn’t come,” said Manchanda.

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Most of the DDCA directors were in the same faction as Sharma during the elections last year although he was an MLA, but they fell out with him.

When contacted, Justice Ahmed, who is on extension till the next general body meeting—it is also being contested by the directors—said the complaint against Sharma has not reached him. “I am not aware of it. As for others, whatever complaints have come to me, I have responded to them,” he told HT.

The ombudsman is due to meet the factions on November 27. The directors say they will present their case to him, and don’t rule out taking legal recourse. “We are keeping legal options open,” said Sanjay Bhardwaj, a director.