Bengaluru: Former India medium-fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad has sharply criticized the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for its significant delay in conducting elections, originally slated for September 30. Nearly a month has passed without any official word on the polls, and KSCA officials have remained silent. Prasad questioned this prolonged silence from those in power, urging for immediate transparency and accountability within Karnataka’s cricket administration.
During a media interaction on Monday, Prasad spoke candidly: “By the rules, elections should have taken place on September 30, but we still have no idea when they will be held. With most office-bearer positions now vacant, it’s crucial for the current management to announce the election schedule without further delay.” He further emphasized, “KSCA itself stated in its June 24 letter that elections would be conducted by September 30. Why has this commitment not been upheld?”
Currently, the KSCA operates with hardly any office-bearers, with only the joint secretary remaining. The former president, Raghuram Bhat, was elected BCCI treasurer last month, and vice-president K. Sriram resigned just weeks ago. Additionally, Secretary A. Shankar and Treasurer A. E. Jairam stepped down on June 7, taking moral responsibility for a tragic stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in June that resulted in 11 fatalities.
Prasad, who previously served as KSCA vice-president, also expressed sorrow over the declining state of Chinnaswamy Stadium. He remarked, “The disorder both within and outside the stadium has become a source of ridicule. A clear indication of this is the decision to relocate Women’s World Cup matches from this venue.”
Former KSCA treasurer Vinay Mruthyunjaya and ex-India captain Shantha Rangaswamy echoed Prasad’s sentiments, also lamenting the current disarray within the KSCA. Prasad concluded by stating, “My understanding is that the managing committee is attempting to misinterpret the bylaws, specifically the nine-year rule, to disqualify several competent administrators. However, this rule was seemingly not applied to many others, including past presidents Roger Binny and Raghuram Bhat.”