HPP condemns election officer’s stand

Principal Correspondent

WITH over 60 odd voters, Hockey Promoters Panel (HPP) members, headed by Triloki Nath Sidhra, gathered in front of Vidarbha Hockey Association office on Sunday to condemn the decision of keeping election of the association in abeyance by Election Officer Shreegopal Soni. 
Soni announced his decision to keep it in abeyance on the eve of the election.
In a show of strength, supporters of Hockey Promoters Panel attended the ‘gate meeting’ and claimed that they have already won the election.
Hockey Promoters Panel’s presidential candidate BC Bhartia said a lot of mud-slinging is going on which has to be stopped.
“Mud-slinging should not be there in sports and sports administration. It has to be stopped. Soni has maligned the image of the association in entire Vidarbha. He has made mockery of the association by declaring that the association has not made provision for funds. When he confessed that he had written a letter demanding funds on Nov 1, 2016 then how and why he carried out the election process till Nov 26 if the funds were not released,” asked Bhartia.
“Even the ballot papers are manipulated. The names of candidates has to be in alphabetical order but it is not so which is prepared by the EC,” alleged Bhartia.
Life member HCV ‘Baba’ Rocque asked in what capacity the election officer kept the election on hold.
“Did election officer has any power to put the election on hold,” asked Rocque.
Former secretary Vinod Gawai, informed that since 1987 till 2005 there was no proper elected body of the association hence the question of incorporating new members doesn’t arise.
“When there was no balance sheet made nor any AGM held since 1987 to 2005, how come 51 members got enrolled in 1989,” asked Gawai.
“Some people have vested interest in this 4-acre VHA land which is in prime locality. The ground which has a market value of over RS 250 crores. Members should understand this and come forward to save it,” alleged Gawai.
“It is very painful that politics is being played in the name of hockey,” he added.
Another life member RK Mishra suggested that Hockey Promoters Panel should give a letter to Charity Commissioner with list of new office bearers.
“We should ask Charity Commissioner to appoint our new body as ad-hoc body to carry out day to day work.” Sidhra seconded Mishra’s suggestion.
“The council can appoint a body. We should appoint a temporary executive body and submit it to Charity Commissioner and ask them to hold election under its watchful eye,” felt life member Anil Agrawal.