'Give up your seats, we want elections

Faction at National Sports Club of India accuses office bearers of not holding polls as it would endanger their positions

A faction at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) at Haji Ali, whichu00a0 is in the centre of a huge controversy over the building of a multi-sports stadium called 'The Pride of Asia', has accused top officials of the committee of not holding elections so they can keep enjoying their coveted seats.

The NSCI held its last, very contentious AGM in 2007 in Mumbai. NSCI chairman, Bipin Mehta told this reporter that elections have not been held since then because a member has obtained a stay from the High Court.

"Once the stay is lifted we will hold elections," said Mehta.

Viren Shah, a club member, disagreed with Mehta. "Which court in the world can stop an election? These are delaying tactics because the president and chairman know they will lose the elections."

Rakesh Malhotra, the regional secretary, seconds that with, "The president, B Chawla and his group are scared of losing their chairs, that is why the election is not being held."

B Chawla's son Sunil said it was wrong to accuse his father who is now 92. "My father is not scared. He has never lost an election, but how can you hold an election with lawsuits pending?" Sunil said.u00a0u00a0