The gloves are off at CCI: Fractious election run-up promises action-packed AGM

The Brabourne Stadium at the Cricket Club of India

It is gloves are off season as the Cricket Club of India (CCI) goes into what is probably its most contentious contest today evening. Rain has forced a change of venue, it is not the badminton court now, the AGM is going to be held in the main lobby of the club. Seating arrangements are being made in the lobby, All Rounder restaurant and verandah outside the restaurant. There is also going to be live screening of the AGM at the All Rounder and the Verandah, for what promises to be an action-packed AGM.

Cast your vote, or caste your vote?
A swathe of the club membership claims that after a couple of newspapers have written about current president Kekoo Nicholson, being accused by a member of stalking his daughter, the prez is set to get what is called a ‘sympathy vote'. We hear the club has been cleaved on certain lobbies based on caste and community. Though many deny this, there is no denying there is some truth to this charge.

E-mail twist to the tale
Yesterday, there was a flutter as Presidential candidate Kapill (he spells his name with a double ll) Malhotra's letter to the members, went out from an email address of the club. A paragraph in the letter from Kapill to the electorate states that: ‘I feel that the only thing that is not in great taste is backbiting & rumormongering. When we stand for elections of a club we should stand together, irrespective of whether we are in this team, that team or independent. This is only a club election not a political game!' A presidential contender told this paper, "it is incorrect to send out mails from the club's email address. It gives an impression that the club is favouring him." Expect some trouble on this front, soon.

Letters and who is better?
Pre-election parties and woo the voter do's now go with the election package at clubs. Muscat millionaire, Kanaksi Khimji threw one party backing a presidential candidate, recently at a Churchgate restaurant. It is heard that BJP MLA Raj Purohit, was making phone calls to the voter base, telling them to vote for a particular candidate. Purohit though denied that. When asked he said, "I have never made any calls. This may be a case of an imposter, somebody using my name in this manner." Meanwhile, former BMC Commissioner Jairaj Phatak is supporting Nitin Dossa for president. Phatak said on the phone, "Dossa is an old friend. I know him for 10 years. I found there was no controversy in the organizations he headed in the past." An excerpt from Phatak's letter states, "As you may be aware, there was a recent controversy in the CCI and I consider it our responsibility to elect a President who enjoys a good character and reputation...'

Did somebody say this is just a club, not a political game? We rest our case. The elections begin today and go on till Saturday.