KSCA elections pushed to December 30 amid legal confusion

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) elections, originally scheduled for November 30, have been postponed to December 30. Electoral officer Dr. B. Basavaraju deferred the process, citing an active court injunction and lack of clarity from the association's Managing Committee.

In a letter dated November 17, Dr. Basavaraju stated he had sought compliance on election-related queries from the KSCA on November 14 and 15, but received an inadequate reply only on Monday morning. He noted that an injunction from the Trial Court in O.S. No. 7680/2025 remains in force, with the next hearing on December 16. Until the court provides clear direction and internal confusion is resolved, he deemed it inappropriate to proceed with elections, emphasizing his duty to ensure a free, fair, and legally compliant process.

The postponement drew sharp reactions from Venkatesh Prasad, who is contesting for the KSCA presidency with backing from several former India cricketers. Prasad expressed shock and disappointment, calling the deferment abrupt and unexpected. He reiterated that his group respects the Election Commission but was taken by surprise. "Our sole objective is to revive top-level cricket at Chinnaswamy Stadium, to bring back international matches and IPL fixtures. That is our mission," he said. "KSCA is at a pivotal juncture and needs change. Cricket is suffering right now."

Vinay Mruthyunjaya, former KSCA treasurer and part of Prasad's group, blamed the Managing Committee for the delay. "The responsibility to conduct elections rests squarely with the Managing Committee. There has been a total lack of cooperation from them," he said. "The confusion has been orchestrated, leading to this outcome."

The KSCA issued a clarification through CEO Shubhendu Ghosh, stating that long-time member A.V. Shashidara had obtained an interim order from the Trial Court "ex parte", without the association being heard. KSCA filed a writ petition in the High Court to set aside the order. Ghosh said the High Court set aside the interim order on Monday morning, and the association has requested the electoral officer to withdraw the deferment. "KSCA is committed to having the elections conducted in accordance with directions of the division bench of the High Court," he stated.

Shashidara responded by countering the KSCA's version, stating the association inaccurately portrayed the situation as if the court had stayed the elections. He clarified that he filed a civil suit on November 3 challenging the Managing Committee's "illegal" interpretation of the nine-year term rule, which he claims contradicts Supreme Court and High Court judgments and existing bye-laws. He emphasized that he never sought a stay on the elections and that the Civil Court's interim order only stayed the circulation of Legal Advisory Committee minutes, not the election process.

Shashidara pointed out that the Karnataka High Court had directed the KSCA on November 10 to proceed with elections as scheduled, and no party indicated a stay was in place. "Instead of complying with the Court's direction to proceed with elections as per the existing by-laws, the KSCA has chosen to postpone the elections without any valid or lawful reason," he said. "It is regrettable to witness such disregard for the court's order and established association norms."