GUWAHATI, June 9 - Coming Sunday will be a significant day for Assam cricket as a new set of office bearers will take the hot seats of the cash rich sports body, Assam Cricket Association (ACA).
The Gauhati High Court in its notification on May 11 instructed the ACA to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and form a new body in that meeting. The court also appointed Justice (Retired) CR Sarma as observer for the meeting which will commence at 10 am at the ACA�s Barsapara stadium here on June 12.
Altogether 97 members, from 32 affiliated districts and ACA, will cast their votes if the election is held during the AGM to pick up a new set of office bearers.
The AGM was scheduled to be held on June 26 last year at Silchar but could not be held for an injunction order from the civil court.
According to sources close to the ACA, there will be no election for the president�s post as present vice president and Cabinet Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is almost sure to be the new president of the ACA. The source revealed that the present president Gautam Roy is reluctant to contest for the post. The High Court also notified that the present president either can contest or preside over the AGM.
For the secretary�s post, present joint secretaries Ajoy Sarma of Bokakhat, Sanatan Das of Barpeta and present vice president Dr Brojen Gohain of Tinsukia are likely to contest, the source said. However, any one of Sarma and Das may withdraw at the final moment.
For the treasurer�s post Moni Saikia of Dibrugarh and present secretary of the ACA umpires� board Abdul Khalek of Jorhat are likely to contest as present treasurer Ghanashyam Baruah is no more interested in continuing his job.
Maenwhile, speculation is rife if the Justice Lodha Committee report regarding BCCI�s guideline is upheld by the Supreme Court on June 29 then the outcome of the ACA�s June 12 meeting will become null and void. If the Justice Lodha Committee recommendations are accepted then the BCCI will be compelled to follow the guidelines and it may issue notice to the State associations in the mid of next month to follow the Lodha Committee recommendations.
The sacked ACA secretary Bikash Baruah, who was barred from taking part in the forthcoming ACA election by the High Court, has filed a Special Leave Petition (Civil), No. 15460/2016 in the Apex Court against the HC judgment and the SC is likely to take up the petition on June 29.
