PANJIM: The Goa Cricket Association (GCA) managing committee’s meet held at the GCA headquarters, in Porvorim witnessed former GCA President Vinod Phadke, Akbar Mulla, Manohar Naik, Desh Kinlekar, Suryakant Naik and Suraj Lotlikar strongly objecting to the introduction of the electronic voting system.
The imbroglio within the GCA prompted Vinod Phadke to challenge Dr Shekhar Salkar for the post of president.
Phadke believes he has the support of 80 affiliated clubs which has encouraged him to challenge Salkar for the post of the GCA President. His main aim will be to overlook the International cricket stadium, in Bicholim.
“Dr Salkar’s close aids will enjoy the funds,” alleged Phadke.
The GCA is yet to begin construction work at the newly acquired ground at Van Maulingem, Bicholim purchased for a whopping Rs 45 crores and are now having a difference of opinion over other issues besides the use of technology.
“We only want the International Stadium to be built which he (Dr Salkar) is not able to do. On the contrary, he has a loan of 3 crore which was never taken in the history of the GCA,” informed Phadke.
“The GCA coffers are empty when I was not there and I don’t want to continue with the mess and that is why we want a new committee to be appointed. I may contest for the post of President. He (Dr Salkar) does not have any support that is why he wants to throw out some clubs,” Phadke opined.
However, Dr Salkar believes that the huge amount and grants in the construction of the stadium at Van Maulingem, Bicholim is the main reason why the Desai group want to topple him.
Dr Salkar claimed to have unearthed embezzlement of funds amounting to 26 lakh in the GCA and is awaiting official documents to file a complaint with the CBI or Goa Police.
“I will get the official copy on Wednesday,” informed Salkar.
“Huge money is involved and that is the main reason they want me out. I want to do everything electronically. We launched a new GCA website and I told them to get professionals to check it. You can examine the website with any IT professional and see if it is good,” said Salkar.
The Election Committee Chairman ND Agarwal also agreed on this. “If they can prove manipulation of the electronic voting system then only I will withdraw the proposal,” said Dr Salkar.
“I wanted to put Agarwal, Kashyap and Dr Raghu (in the Election Committee) but they objected to Kashyap. I feel they don’t want any transparency,” alleged the GCA President.
Dr Salkar moved swiftly to appoint Sudin Kamat as the new GCA secretary ejecting Chetan Dessai from his current post.
“I have removed Chetan Dessai from the post of secretary but he remains to be a member of the managing committee,” confirmed Dr Salkar.
However, Phadke felt that Salkar was only trying to gain mileage from the issue ahead of the GCA elections.
“Dr Salkar has no powers to remove Chetan Desai. A resolution has to be passed in the managing committee with two-third majority. The constitution states that,” informed Phadke.
Phadke, former GCA chief said he would seek legal opinion on conduction of the election process. He was of the opinion that the electronic voting machines must be tested and approved by the relevant government authorities.
“You cannot bring two students from BITS Pilani and tell them to make a machine. What is this nonsense? The machine should be highly professional and made by a company authorized by the Government.”
