Vadodara Cricket Body Faces Election Venue Controversy Over Alleged Bias
The Royal Satyamev Jayate Group has formally demanded that the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) immediately change the venue for its upcoming elections scheduled for February 15. The group has raised serious allegations that the current polling location is under the control of a prominent member of the rival Revival Group, creating an environment of potential bias and unfair advantage.
Venue Control and Conflict of Interest Allegations
Jatin Vakil, who is contesting for the joint secretary's position from the Royal Satyamev Jayate Group, stated emphatically: "The polling venue is at Ram Baug near Shastri Bridge. It is under the control of Tejal Amin, who is also contesting the elections from the Revival Group. As per established norms, elections should not be held at premises controlled by any candidate, as it can give them an undue advantage and allow them to influence voters."
The group, led by royal scion Samarjitsinh Gaekwad and Darshan Banker, argues that holding elections at a location managed by a contesting candidate violates fundamental principles of electoral fairness. They maintain that such arrangements could potentially compromise the integrity of the voting process and undermine democratic norms within the cricket administration.
Concerns Over Election Machinery Independence
Beyond the venue controversy, Vakil raised additional objections regarding the involvement of staff from Alembic Industries Ltd in the election process. "Their participation raises concerns about the independence of the election machinery. The polls should be conducted by a team of independent persons," he asserted, noting that Alembic Industries is owned by the Amin family, which has connections to the rival faction.
The group has formally documented these concerns in a letter addressed to BCA chief election officer Varesh Sinha. A copy of this communication was submitted at the BCA office on Thursday, outlining multiple objections to the current election arrangements.
Voter List Irregularities and Identity Verification Demands
Adding to their list of grievances, group members alleged that the current voters' list contains names of deceased individuals, which they claim could facilitate bogus voting and further compromise election integrity. "To ensure free and fair elections, voters' identities should be verified using only government-issued identity cards," Vakil emphasized, calling for stricter verification protocols.
Religious Festival Timing Concerns
The group has also requested rescheduling of the election date, pointing out that February 15 coincides with Maha Shivratri, an important Hindu festival. "Many people observe fasts and perform rituals on the day. The election should be rescheduled to ensure maximum participation without conflicting with religious observances," Vakil added, highlighting practical concerns about voter turnout.
The controversy has brought attention to the internal dynamics of cricket administration in Vadodara, with the Royal Satyamev Jayate Group pushing for what they describe as "transparent, impartial, and accessible" election procedures. Their demands include:
- Immediate change of election venue to a neutral location
- Replacement of election staff with independent personnel
- Thorough verification of the voters' list
- Implementation of government ID-based voter verification
- Rescheduling of election date away from Maha Shivratri
As the February 15 election date approaches, the BCA faces mounting pressure to address these concerns and ensure that the electoral process maintains credibility among all stakeholders in Vadodara's cricket community.
