JAIPUR: The stage is set for Nagaur District Cricket Association president Dhananjai Singh Khimsar to succeed Vaibhav Gehlot for the top post at the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA). The son of state health minister and former sports minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar, Dhananjai, will be appointed as the interim president of RCA during the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to be held here on March 9, sources have confirmed.
The development comes after Vaibhav resigned from the post on February 26 amid the ongoing investigation involving alleged financial irregularities and statutory violations by the RCA management.
The RCA office has been sealed by the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) and the apex cricket body (BCCI) has asked the latter to jointly organise the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) games in the city with the Rajasthan Royals.
Lawyers well-versed with the Sports Act say that 'according to the law, there is no provision of appointing an interim president'. "In case the president resigns, the vice-president takes up the responsibility until the fresh elections take place," said a source.
"RCA can escape from the threat of an ad-hoc panel if they appoint Dhananjai as the interim president. Also, in all likelihood, RCA will be able to successfully defend its case in the next hearing and come out all clear as Dhananjai is the BJP leader's son," said another source in the RCA.
Having someone in the executive committee from the ruling party, BJP, will aid RCA's ambitions. "Given the current situation, when the IPL is also around the corner, appointing an interim president would suit the RCA office bearers. They don't wish to be completely sidelined and will try to be a part of the organising committee for the Jaipur games. You can expect them to reach out to the RSSC after the investigation gets over," a source said.
The next date for investigation by the registrar is March 12.
