35 members attend meeting called by Farooq Abdullah's faction

Srinagar: In a show of strength, Farooq Abdullah on Friday claimed that 35 out of the 64 members of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) attended a meeting called by his faction here.

"We had a meeting of the Working Committee today which was attended by 35 members of the association. What they (rebel) have, are the government nominated members," Abdullah told reporters after the meeting held at a hotel.

In an attempt to end Abdullah's 35-year grip over the JKCA, 44 members of the association had an election on Monday to elect senior PDP leader and state sports minister Imran Raza Ansari as its president.

The Abdullah faction approached a local court in Jammu which kept the results of the elections in abeyance till July 31.

Asked about the stand of BCCI on the latest developments in the JKCA, the former Chief Minister said it was for the cricket's national governing body to decide.

"Look I am not BCCI. So I can't answer. Better you should ask them," Abdullah said when asked about the silence maintained by the cricket governing body on the issue so far.

He said a committee will be formed that will meet the BCCI officials and apprise them about the situation.

"Once they meet the BCCI, they will inform you about it," he said.

He said he did not meet any BCCI official during his recent visit to Delhi.

Abdullah said they will form a few other committees which will examine various issues related to the recent developments including the legal fight against the rebels.

"A notice will be sent to those members who have violated the constitution (of JKCA) and they will face the music," he said.

Abdullah reiterated his charge that the election on July

20 was organised by the state government saying the education minister Naeem Akhtar "himself rang the vice chancellors and principals to send their people (representatives) to the meeting".

In response to a question, Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir Bank will have to answer for allowing the rebel faction to operate an account in the name of the association.

The National Conference president said he will fight his political arch rival and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed legally.

"He (Mufti) should know I will fight him and fight him legally. I am not a 'goonda' (hooligan). 'Unki tarah main badmaash nahi hoon'," he added.