Faced with the International Olympic Committee’s stern directive to bar charge-sheeted persons from contesting elections, the Indian Olympic Association meets here on Sunday in a special General Body meeting which, however, is unlikely to take any final decision.
A top IOA official told PTI that tomorrow’s special GBM may not take a final decision on IOC’s diktat to amend the constitution by October 31 and hold elections before the end of this year but may see some officials expressing views that it’s futile to continue confrontation with the world body.
With the IOC unyielding in its stance to ban tainted officials from contesting elections, a section within the IOA now wants to end the impasse as any further delay may impact on the country’s preparations for next year’s Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
“A section within IOA is now ready to accept the IOC’s directive to bar charge-framed persons from contesting elections. It’s now clear that IOC is not going to yield and any further confrontation may only jeopardise India’s chances of taking part in Asian and Commonwealth Games,” he said.
“Some senior officials now want to convince those opposing the IOC directive that the IOA will have to fall in line. But the question is how much support they will get,” he said.
“So, Sunday’s GBM will not take any decision and will be adjourned again. Whatever decision needs to be taken will be decided later,” he added.
The faction led by Abhay Singh Chautala is, however, said to be adamant to their earlier stand that charge-sheeted persons are permitted to contest even Parliamentary elections and the IOC cannot impose a rule which is against Indian law.
Asked about tomorrow’s GBM, an official close to Chautala said, “We will put the communication sent to us by the IOC before the House and the members will decide what to do with that.”
