The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is embroiled in a power struggle, with 12 of its 15 executive committee members planning to move a motion of no confidence against president PT Usha at a Special General Meeting (SGM) on October 25.
The rift between Usha and the EC members has escalated, leading to a 26-point agenda for the SGM. The agenda includes discussions on Usha’s functioning, conduct, non-compliance with the IOA constitution, and failure to convene an Annual General Meeting.
The EC members also allege that Usha has “pressurized the finance committee to approve unauthorized expenses related to her.” The agenda’s final point is a “vote of no confidence against the president.”
The agenda also includes a detailed discussion on sponsorship agreements executed by Usha without consulting the sponsorship committee or the executive council. Usha has faced scrutiny after a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report observed a loss of ₹24 crore to IOA due to Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) being given four extra events without any extra price.
Usha has defended her actions, claiming that the EC members were aware of the negotiations with RIL and that it was done to protect the rights fee payable by the company. However, the EC members have objected to Usha’s unilateral decisions and have accused her of violating the constitution.
The dispute has also centered around the appointment of Raghuram Iyer as CEO. The EC members have objected to his pay package and have brought back joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey as acting CEO. Usha has called an SGM to discuss the dispute and put it to a vote.
The agenda also includes matters related to corruption and complaints against some EC members regarding their ineligibility to hold office. The EC members have accused Usha of non-compliance with constitutional mandates and unilateral decision-making.
The showdown between Usha and the EC members has reached a critical point, with the motion of no confidence potentially leading to her removal as president.
