Attempts to incorporate Anurag Thakur within the electoral school for the upcoming Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections have been quashed after the previous sports activities minister’s identify was not included within the last listing authorized by the returning officer on Thursday. A 60-member electoral school, issued by president Ajay Singh, on Wednesday stated Thakur was “ineligible” for the federation’s ballot course of as his nomination was in violation of the discover dated 07.03.2025 in addition to the National Sports Code.
BFI secretary Hemanta Kalita, nonetheless, later launched one other listing which included the previous sports activities minister’s identify.
But Justice (retd.) In his order, RK Gauba, the returning officer, stated that Kalita’s listing can’t be acted upon.
“Having heard all concerned, the undersigned is of the view that the Electoral College List prepared by Mr. Kalita, the incumbent Secretary General of BFI cannot be acted upon in view of the unambiguous rules vesting in the “general powers of supervision” over the working of BFI and also responsibility to “oversee workplace Bearers/Members” of the EC,” the order, in possession of PTI, learn.
The March 7 discover, despatched to all affiliated state associations, had talked about that “only bonafide and duly elected members during the election AGM (duly notified to BFI) of the State Units affiliated with the BFI shall be authorised to represent their respective States/Union Territories”.
It is anticipated that Thakur’s faction, which had approached Gauba earlier within the day, will now take authorized motion.
“We met and spoke with the returning officer today. Gave him our representation. We are quite hopeful,” Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association (HPBA) president Rajesh Bhandari advised PTI.
“We will seek court intervention if required. Anurag Thakur is a member of the Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association. He has been a member since 2008,” he added.
The last listing of electoral school authorized by the returning officer additionally omitted each names despatched by the Delhi Amateur Boxing Association — Rohit Jainendra Jain and Neeraj Kant Bhatt.
The nomination window for the election will stay open from March 14-16.
Former BCCI president Thakur, a BJP MP, was anticipated to contest for the BFI president’s submit.
The HPBA had nominated Thakur for the elections.
HPBA president Bhandari, additionally a BFI vice-president, was the opposite nominated member from the state.
The last listing of candidates contesting the election will probably be printed on March 22.
The BFI, which was being run by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)’s ad-hoc committee for not holding its elections by the due date of February 2, had determined to carry its polls on March 28 after the Delhi High Court stayed the IOA order.
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