Gautam Gambhir is not eligible to contest for President's post: DDCA

The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) recently made the headlines for the wrong reasons after its officials were seen thrashing each other during the annual general meeting (AGM) on Sunday. Following the exchange of blows at the event, Justice (Retd) Deepak Verma was appointed as the cricketing body’s new Ombudsman.

Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir condemned the ugly incidents and appealed to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly to dismiss the body after the video of the scuffle went viral and also sought bans on the officials who were found involved. Rajan Manchanda, the ruling group’s joint secretary, was slapped by the opposition’s Maqsood Alam.

DDCA’s presidential post fell vacant after Rajat Sharma stepped down last month, paving the way for a fresh election. On Monday, the body sought time till the Delhi Assembly polls in February to conduct election for the DDCA chief’s post. However, it also made it clear that Gambhir, whose name has been doing the rounds as Sharma’s probable successor, will not be eligible to contest for the top post as per the Lodha Committee recommendations.

“Ombudsman Deepak Verma will be requested to give some extension to conduct election for president’s post. The election is slated for January end but a request will be put that it is held after Delhi’s assembly election in February,” India Today cited agencies quoting DDCA General Secretary Vinod Tihara as saying in New Delhi.

Gambhir can lead DDCA only when he ceases to be MP

On Gambhir’s chances of becoming the DDCA president, Tihara said the former India opener is welcome to serve Delhi cricket but he could be the president of the DDCA only when he quits the MP’s post. Gambhir, 38, made his debut as a member of the Lok Sabha earlier this year from Delhi East constituency on the ticket of the ruling BJP.

Tihara also promised that strict action will be taken against miscreants who caused ruckus at the AGM. He also said that the officials of the state body who were involved in the fracas will be brought to book inside a week.

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