Mittal faces bitter contest from Trivedi in CCI polls

Mumbai, Sep 24 (UNI) Badal Mittal, the present vice president of one of the most prestigious clubs in India, The Cricket Club of India (CCI), is locked in a bitter contest for the post of president against Y P Trivedi.

Mr Mittal, at a press conference here today, came down heavily on the Sevanti Parekh group, whose presidential candidate is Y P Trivedi.

He said the Sevanti Parekh group has been collecting proxies by feeding complete scandalous lies to the members that he (Badal) is interested in constructing a seven star hotel/mall in the CCI premises.

He said he was pained by these vicious rumours. ''I wish the other group would have asked for proxies based on their strengths rather than taking recourse to a negative campaign just to garner a few votes,'' Mr Mittal said.

He said he and his team in the last eight months have run the club in a transparent and member friendly manner. All sports facilities have either been upgraded or are in the process of the same. Hundreds of members' children, who were deprived of membership have been made members.

Another senior member said Sevanti Parekh group has hit new low of morality. They have used the name of Raj Singh Dungarpur, President of the club in their proxy form and appeal letters.

As all regular users of the club know Raj Singh is suffering from acute Alzheimer and dementia. He does not remember his own colleagues on the committee. To use an ill man's name to get proxies is cowardly and a blatant attempt to cash in on Mr Dungarpur's brand equity.

Mr Mittal added that inspite of other group running the negative campaign, a sizeable number of members of the club still supports him, as he and his team have a positive agenda for the betterment of the club. The candidates on his panel are young, energetic and have contributed significantly to the sports activities and financial wellbeing of the club.

He also informed that the club would after a long time be hosting a Test match between India and England from December 19 this year and the modalities with the Mumbai Cricket Association have been worked out.

He also said all the facilities being provided are being upgraded and even an indoor cricket academy is in the offing.

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