Modi cleared to fight Rajasthan cricket polls

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi, who has been expelled for life by the Indian cricket board, Wednesday got the green signal from the Supreme Court appointed observer to fight for the post of president in the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) elections slated for Thursday.

"SC observer Justice N.M. Kasliwal and election officer B.L. Gupta have given their nod. Modi's nomination will be accepted. He will be able to contest the election for the post of RCA president," a top official in RCA, on the condition of anonymity, told IANS.

The election for 21 posts of the RCA executive committee is scheduled to take place Dec 19.

Modi's lawyer Mehmood Abdi, who is also contesting for the post of vice-president in RCA, had filed nomination on behalf of Modi for the top post Monday.

As per the election schedule, the last date for withdrawal of nomination was Dec 18.

"There was no question of withdrawal of nomination as his name has been cleared," sources close to Modi told IANS.

Modi, a former vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the man behind the successful IPL, is allegedly staying overseas at present. He was banned for life from all cricket matters in India after he was found involved in alleged financial irregularities in IPL.

A close ally of Modi told IANS that he would win the elections with a thumping majority.

"As of now, he is the only contender for the top post. He has support of 24 district cricket associations out of the total 33," said a supporter.

After the matter came to the notice of the BCCI, it shot off a letter to the RCA warning it with suspension if Modi's nomination is accepted.