Railways asks its wrestlers not to participate in events organised by suspended WFI
New Delhi (PTI): The Railways has asked its sportspersons to participate only in events that are organised by recognised sports bodies, advising its wrestlers not to compete in any tournament under the banner of the suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
In an advisory issued on Friday, the railways said participating in events held by the suspended (WFI) will not be considered for awarding government benefits to players.
In a press statement, Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) Secretary Prem Chand Lochab said, "The Indian Railways wrestlers will participate only in the championship organised by RSPB and not in any other events under the banner of suspended WFI."
He announced that the upcoming championship in Jaipur from February 2-5, 2024 is being organised by RSPB.
According to Lohab, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has communicated that only National Wrestling Championships for various age categories organised under the supervision of the IOA-appointed ad-hoc committee for wrestling will be treated as sanctioned and recognised championships.
"All government benefits will only accrue to the sportspersons participating in such National Championships organised by the ad-hoc committee," he added.
Lohab stated that the ad-hoc committee of the WFI has entrusted the responsibility of organising Senior National Free Style, Greco-Roman Style and Women National Wrestling Championships to the RSPB.
The Sports Ministry had in December last year suspended the WFI, three days after it elected new office-bearers, for not following the provisions of its own constitution while taking decisions. The government also asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to constitute an ad-hoc panel to manage the affairs of the sports body.
In suspending the WFI, the government cited the sports body's "hasty announcement" of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals "without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers" for preparations.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
