Lalit Modi looks set to be in the fray for the position of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) President during the upcoming elections, despite the lack of a unanimous decision on the election dates. The confusion is due to the association being split into two factions, each of which has announced an election date, and the dispute over who controls the RCA is now being contested in various courts across Rajasthan.
BCCI’s ban on Modi was stayed by the Rajasthan High Court in October, following which he announced his intention to run for the RCA president's post. His appeal before the court exploited a technicality - since the RCA is governed by the Rajasthan Sports Act, the BCCI ban cannot be applied to him - and the court agreed with his contention.
The incumbent, CP Joshi, then advanced the election date from December 7 to November 24 while the opposing faction announced it would hold the election on November 23. Those dates, however, are now a matter for the courts to decide.
Modi revealed his decision to contest the election was because of the way Joshi had ignored cricket in Rajasthan. "Cricket has taken a beating in Rajasthan. My opponent has not done anything for the game. I was hoping as a federal minister he [Joshi] would have done a lot but I am disappointed. We had worked very, very hard and it is about time we start getting our act together," Modi told ESPNcricinfo.
The former IPL Commissioner further added that he'd been in touch with various district associations within Rajasthan and was expecting healthy support on the elections. "I have good support from various associations and we are looking forward to the elections on November 23 and 24."