The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday made it clear that it will propose the suspension of IOA in its executive board meeting next month if the upcoming IOA elections are held under the government's sports code, a development which has put the polls under a cloud.
In a letter written by IOC director-general Christophe de Kepper to IOA acting chief, VK Malhotra, the IOC rejected IOA's request to send an international delegation to resolve the issue and threatened to initiate the process of suspending the Indian body.
The world body reiterated its directive to the IOA as expressed in its letter on November 23 to present its position to the IOC by November 30 or face suspension.
IOC in its earlier letter --- signed by its chief Jacques Rogge --- had warned that India would be suspended if the Dec 5 elections are held under the Sports Code and not under the Olympic Charter.
Meanwhile, in the wake of IOC's threat to ban India, IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh, who withdrew his name from the race for IOA president's post, accused Malhotra of creating a mess that would bring shame to the nation.
Randhir also held the Abhey Chautala-led faction responsible for dragging Indian sports into this position, and said an IOC sanction is inevitable if elections are held under the sports code. "They (Chautala faction) are not concerned (about IOC's threat). There is no hurry to hold elections. There is a court hearing on Dec 17.
{{/usCountry}}Randhir also held the Abhey Chautala-led faction responsible for dragging Indian sports into this position, and said an IOC sanction is inevitable if elections are held under the sports code. "They (Chautala faction) are not concerned (about IOC's threat). There is no hurry to hold elections. There is a court hearing on Dec 17.
{{/usCountry}}The government is willing to solve the issue. Let the IOC, government and IOA sit together and sort the problem," Randhir said.