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

Attempts to include Anurag Thakur in the electoral college for the upcoming Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections were unsuccessful. His name was not on the final list approved by the returning officer on Thursday. The 60-member electoral college, announced by President Ajay Singh on Wednesday, stated Thakur's nomination violated a notice dated 7 March 2025 and the National Sports Code.

Electoral College Controversy

BFI Secretary Hemanta Kalita later issued another list that included Thakur's name. However, Justice (Retd.) R.K. Gauba, the returning officer, declared Kalita's list 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.

The March 7 notice sent to affiliated state associations specified that only bona fide and duly elected members during the election AGM, notified to BFI, could represent their respective states or union territories. This notice was crucial in determining eligibility for representation in the elections.

Legal Action Considered

Thakur's faction, which had approached Gauba earlier, is now considering legal action. "We met and spoke with the returning officer today. Gave him our representation. We are quite hopeful," said Rajesh Bhandari, Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association (HPBA) president. He added that they would seek court intervention if necessary.

Anurag Thakur has been a member of the HPBA since 2008. The HPBA nominated him for the elections, and Bhandari, also a BFI vice-president, was another nominee from the state. Former BCCI president Thakur, a BJP MP, was expected to contest for the BFI president's post.

Election Timeline

The nomination window for the election will remain open from 14 to 16 March. The final list of candidates contesting will be published on 22 March. The BFI elections are scheduled for 28 March after a Delhi High Court stay on an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) order postponed them.

The final electoral college list approved by the returning officer also excluded names submitted by the Delhi Amateur Boxing Association—Rohit Jainendra Jain and Neeraj Kant Bhatt. This decision further complicates the election process as various factions navigate eligibility challenges.

The BFI was under an ad-hoc committee of the IOA due to missed election deadlines by February 2. The upcoming elections aim to resolve leadership issues within the federation and establish a new governing body following these procedural disputes.