Lalit Modi reinstated as RCA President after Pathan group relented

Lalit Modi finally won a battle that he had been fighting for long now. He has been reinstated as president of Rajasthan Cricket Association. The former Indian Premier League commissioner, suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India for financial irregularities in 2013, now enjoys numerical superiority in the 33-member RCA after a rival faction withdrew its no-confidence motion against Modi and his team on Tuesday.

Power struggle in Rajasthan cricket has seen dramatic twists and turns in the last two years. Nine months ago, BJP leader and RCA vice-president Amin Pathan served a no-confidence motion against Modi and his faction. The same Pathan group, which claimed the support of 15 districts, did a U-turn in front of a retired judge on Wednesday to pave the way for Modi’s return.

“I did not have to give a decision, they (Amin Pathan group) took back the no-confidence motion. Better sense prevailed,if you cannot win, it’s better to compromise,” said Justice Mishra on Wednesday.

Modi’s return will not amuse the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The N. Srinivasan-led Board had suspended Rajasthan for electing the banned Modi as its president. Modi promptly went to court and continues to fight the BCCI.

“Cricket had stopped in the districts and players were suffering because of that. Plus, we couldn’t get the required numbers. These guys (the Modi faction) are used to litigation so they would have stretched it forever. So we decided to withdraw our motion in the interest of cricket.” Pathan group said.