New Delhi: The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) on Wednesday said it had become victim of a political conspiracy with the ruling Aam Admi Party government setting up a probe panel at the wrong time to look into the financial irregularities of the association.
According to a Times of India report, DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan slammed the Arvind Kejriwal-led state government for their lack of support.
"This issue was made far more political. We were already fighting the deadline set by the BCCI and the government misled us by forming the committee. If they believed that the committee wasn't concerned about the Test match then why did they ask us if a few of their people could get into the DDCA and the organize the Test match?" Chauhan said.
Chauhan further added that if the national capital is deprived of hosting the 4th Test between India and South Africa as well as World T20 matches next year, it will not go down well with public.
"Yes, we have problems in our association. We are equally to be blamed but the state government could have helped us.This will not go down well with the public in Delhi if they are deprived of the Test and the World T20 matches," the former BJP MP added.
As per Excise department, DDCA owes it Rs 24 crore as entertainment tax. A clearance by excise department was required to host the Test match at at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
Earlier, in a blow to DDCA, a Delhi government-appointed inquiry panel had recommended its immediate suspension by the BCCI for alleged irregularities including financial bunglings and said an interim committee of professional cricketers should manage affairs of the game in the capital.
The report came amid continuing uncertainty over the venue for the fourth Test with DDCA seeking a one-day extension of the deadline set by BCCI for obtaining all clearances by the state association.
The committee said the government should appoint a Commission of Inquiry under the Commission of Enquiries Act to probe affairs of the cricket administrator while mentioning about findings on DDCA's alleged wrongdoings by various probe panels in the recent past including the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).
(With Agency inputs)
