Will not allow NRAI to turn into political akhara: Raninder

National Rifle Association of India president Raninder Singh today made an appeal to not politicise the federation's upcoming elections and said its constitution is not in conflict with the government's sports code and the IOC.
In the wake of accusations against Raninder of having rigged the process of nominating the four life and four annual members at the general assembly yesterday, the NRAI sought to clear the confusion a month ahead of the April 6 election.
"It is unbecoming to bring politics into sports, especially in a measurable sport like shooting. We will not allow NRAI to turn into a political akhara," Raninder said here.

Asked about the contentious sports code, he said, "We are not in conflict with either the IOC or government of India. We have already accepted almost all the provisions of the sports code. You can check the sports code and our by laws on our website," he said.
"In fact, NRAI is only body that has changed its age and tenure bar, even before the London Olympics," Raninder added.
He, however, added that sports code is only an "advisory" to all the national federations and not a "legal law" or an "ordinance".

Athens Olympics silver medallist Rajyavardhan Rathore demanded that the four life and annual members, all of whom are handed voting rights, be elected rather than nominated by Raninder.

The NRAI president agreed to put Rathore's proposal to vote. However, Raninder retained his right to nominate these members after getting the backing of the general assembly with 523 to 317 votes.
"Out of 948 registered voters, 843 ballots were cast yesterday."
Raninder said that yesterday's election process was videgraphed.