Lalit Modi returns as RCA president, BCCI suspends association

Following the election of Lalit Modi as president of Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday hits back by suspending the association.

Zee Media Bureau

Mumbai: Following the election of Lalit Modi as president of Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday hits back by 'indefinitely' suspending the association. The cricket board also appointed an ad-hoc body to run RCA's cricket affairs. "The BCCI President has indefinitely suspended RCA from participating in any BCCI activity. The decision has been taken as per the constitution clause No. 32, sub-clause 7, where the president has the right to suspend an association, which doesn't conform with the rules and regulations of the BCCI. The decision was taken by interim president Shivlal Yadav," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel told PTI. ALSO READ Rajasthan Cricket Association elects Lalit Modi its president» ALSO READ: RCA to fight against BCCI suspension: Mehmood Abdi» But when asked if the chances of Rajasthan players being selected in various national teams will be affected because of this development, Patel said: "BCCI is pro-player. Our endeavour will be to look after the cricketers from Rajasthan. We will be forming an Ad-hoc body which will run cricket in Rajasthan, taking care of the interest of the players." Earlier today, Modi was elected President of RCA, setting the stage for yet another round of legal tussle between him and the Board, which had threatened to ban the state association in anticipation of this result. The RCA elections were held in December last year but the results were sealed following a Supreme Court directive. And it was opened today morning by a court-appointed observer with the former Indian Premier League commissioner defeating his opponent, Rampal Sharma. Ouf of the 33 votes, Modi got 24, while Sharma got five. The BCCI had asked the RCA to dissociate itself from Modi, or face action after the latter was banned for life for financial irregularities in the IPL in September 2013. However, Modi – riding on the Rajasthan Sports Act 2005, contested the election for the post of president. The former Commissioner of the IPL was seeking to return to cricket administration. With Agency inputs