BCCI and HCA at loggerheads on Mohammad Azharuddin's candidature for elections

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin was not allowed to challenge in the  Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) elections in January this year. With reports stating that the BCCI had already cleared the cricketer to take part in the state elections, there has been a rise of a number of questions regarding the issue.

Some of the questions which still need to be answered are whether Azharuddin was duped of the opportunity to contest the elections? Whether the BCCI actually made him eligible for the elections by writing a letter to the HCA? Did the hesitancy of the Indian cricket Board turn out to be crucial for the player?

However, according to the latest reports, we have received to completely contrasting answers from the BCCI and the HCA. While the BCCI stated that the player was cleared to take part in the elections by the board, the HCA denied the fact and stated that the BCCI did not reply to their emails regarding the issue. Now the biggest question that needs to be given some light is that who is speaking the truth? the BCCI or the HCA?

It has come to notice that the Indian cricket board had sent an email to the HCA stating there is no restriction on Mohammad Azharuddin and he is free to be a part of the elections. Top BCCI sources told TOI that HCA’s ad-hoc committee chairman Prakash Chand Jain had sent out four emails enquiring whether Azhar could take part in the state cricket body elections. Sources also confirmed that Jain’s last email to the BCCI was on January 10, 2017.

According to reports, BCCI had sent a mail to the HCA stating that the right handed batsman is free of all charges and can take part in the elections on January 12. Azharuddin was given a nod by the BCCI to participate in the elections but returning officer Rajeev Reddy turned down his nomination saying that there was no reply from the BCCI.

Chand Jain’s statement:

Chand Jain denied reports of a mail from the BCCI. “I had written three mails to the BCCI on the issue. But unfortunately the BCCI officials didn’t bother to reply. Even the RO had written to the BCCI. I am not sure if he got any reply. If he had gotten a reply, it would have been brought to our notice,” Jain told TOI on Tuesday.

CK Khanna’s statement:

CK Khanna, BCCI’s acting president had his say when asked whether Azhar was cleared by the board’s legal cell or not.  “This issue was discussed with the Committee of Administrators (CoA) and office-bearers where it was informed that BCCI’s legal team had cleared Azhar’s name. This matter has been recommended to the general body.” Khanna said.