Ranchi, May 21: Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) has stumped everyone in the sports fraternity with its sudden decision to hold internal elections now, setting off a torrent of speculation on the reasons behind the exercise, especially when the ruling committee’s term comes to an end only in August next year.

JSCA announced the elections, to be held on May 25, a day before IPL-6 finals, last week. A notice to that effect was put up at its head office in Jamshedpur on May 16. Within the next two days, notices also reached all its district offices.

The notice, dated May 14, does not ascribe any reason for announcing the polls. “Annual general meeting will be held on May 25 and elections on the same day. Dates of filing nomination are till May 19 noon, date for withdrawal of names is May 20, and date of scrutiny of nominees May 21,” read the notice signed by JSCA secretary Rajesh Verma.

Several JSCA members cried foul with some accusing president and former police officer Amitabh Choudhary — he resigned from service to pursue political ambitions — of acting in haste.

Sunil Singh, president of Ranchi district cricket association, alleged the sudden, “hush-hush announcement” would benefit Choudhary. But he did not elaborate.

“On May 15 when the IPL match was underway, we inquired from both the president and secretary Rajesh Verma about the elections. They said, ‘abhi time hai (there is still time)’,” he claimed.

“A day later, we came to know that the notice is out. What does it mean? Most important, many members are away from country, some away from state etc. Ideally, there should be ample time for all,” said Sunil Singh, who is contesting for the post of vice-president.

But, Choudhary defended the JSCA decision. “Ideally, it (the poll) is to be conducted by August 31, 2014. But amendments made in the JSCA constitution last year give powers to the president to call elections before that, provided the body is in office for a minimum of two years. In that respect, we have every right to hold elections even before the term expires,” he explained to The Telegraph.

Choudhary became JSCA president in 2006, defeating then home minister Sudesh Mahto in a high-profile election. Four years later, he earned a walkover as no one contested against him.

No doubt, Choudhary has had a good run.

For, not only has he pulled off the seemingly impossible by completing construction of a swanky new cricket stadium in Dhurwa, he has also successfully hosted an ODI and two IPL matches to legitimise Ranchi’s claim to becoming a venue for more international fixtures.

The former police officer has also announced his decision to contest the next general elections although he hasn’t indicated if he would join a party or go for it alone. But, indications are that he would like to contest the Ranchi Lok Sabha seat, now represented by Subodh Kant Sahay of the Congress.

Choudhary’s opponents believe the timing would suit him most. But no one is coming out openly. All they allege are procedural flaws.

DIG Praveen Kumar Singh, a one-time junior in the police force who has decided to contest against him for JSCA president, complained of a lack of transparency.

Singh, who says he joined the fray to end the monopoly at the top, has alleged that voters’ lists hadn’t been published in time as was the norm. “After filing my nomination, I camped in Jamshedpur for two days and returned to Ranchi today. I put in a written request yesterday for the voters’ list with the returning officer,” he said.

Singh claimed that as per clause 20A and B of JSCA bylaws, a minimum of nine or 10 days were to be given to candidates from the date of issuing the voters’ list. “So, if I don’t get it by tonight, I will take legal action,” he said.

JSCA office-bearers cite a more logical reason for holding elections now. They said since the cricket calendar was relatively lean now, it left them with enough time to wrap up the elections.

“There aren’t any matches now and we are free. We are trying to get a few Test matches and ODIs later in the year and during the start of 2014. If that materialises, then everyone will again get busy,” said a senior JSCA official.

“After assessing the situation, it was decided that it was the right time for polls. But, people are free to speculate,” he added.