Anurag Thakur Excluded from Final Boxing Federation of India Electoral College List

Anurag Thakur's attempt to join the electoral college for the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections was halted. His name was missing from the final list approved by the returning officer on Thursday. A BFI notification, signed by President Ajay Singh, stated that Thakur's nomination violated both the federation's constitution and the National Sports Code.

BFI Secretary Hemanta Kalita had released a list including Thakur's name. However, Justice (retd.) R.K. Gauba, the returning officer, ruled that Kalita's list was invalid. "Having heard all concerned, the undersigned is of the view that the Electoral College List prepared by Mr. Kalita, the incumbent Secretary General of BFI cannot be acted upon," read Gauba's order.

Legal Action Considered by Thakur's Faction

Thakur's faction, which had approached Gauba earlier, is now considering legal action. Rajesh Bhandari, President of the Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association (HPBA), expressed hope after meeting with Gauba. "We met and spoke with the returning officer today. Gave him our representation. We are quite hopeful," Bhandari said.

Bhandari added that they would seek court intervention if necessary. Anurag Thakur has been a member of HPBA since 2008. The HPBA nominated Thakur for the BFI elections, with Bhandari as another nominee from the state.

Other Nominations Rejected

The final electoral college list also excluded names submitted by the Delhi Amateur Boxing Association: Rohit Jainendra Jain and Neeraj Kant Bhatt. The BFI rejected Larry Kharpran from Meghalaya and Asish Kumar Saha from Tripura for similar reasons.

The nomination window for the election will remain open from March 14 to 16. The final list of candidates contesting in the election will be published on March 22.

Upcoming Election Details

The BFI elections are scheduled for March 28 after a Delhi High Court stay on an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) order. The IOA had formed an ad-hoc committee to run BFI due to delayed elections past February 2.

Former BCCI president and BJP MP Anurag Thakur was anticipated to run for BFI president. However, his exclusion from the electoral college complicates his candidacy.

The situation remains dynamic as stakeholders await further developments in this ongoing electoral process within India's boxing administration.