Row over Bhopal Divisional Cricket Association ( BDCA) election intensified further on Tuesday with both Arif Aqueel and Dhruv Narayan factions not relenting from their tough stand. While BDCA chairman Arif Aqueel announced to go ahead with the election agenda in annual general meeting (AGM) called on February 13, BDCA president Dhruv Narayan Singh said the meeting was illegal and appealed to all BDCA members to abstain from it.

Aqueel had been expelled from the BDCA by Singh faction after he called a press conference to announce a meeting of AGM on February 13 to elect the new president.

A defiant Aqueel, however, said on Tuesday, “I believe in president, BDCA general body’s decision. If the body will expel me, I will follow its decision. The election will definitely be conducted on Wednesday and in the presence of three observers of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association. I know majority is with me.”

Aqueel alleged that Singh was influencing members by threatening them of expulsion if they attended the meeting. On the other hand, Singh said the meeting was illegal and Aqueel faction was convincing members to attend it by saying that their sign in the register would be enough to show their presence.

Meanwhile, Singh’s trusted aide Aruneshwar Singh Deo, who recently resigned as BDCA vice-president, has joined hands with Aqueel, appealing to members to participate in the February 13 meeting.