TOI Exclusive: PT Usha leads IOA election battle to IOC, seeks independent probe into alleged violations

NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Usha has called on International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry to conduct an independent review of the IOA’s disputed Athlete of the Year (SOM) election.In a confidential three-page complaint dated November 9, accessed exclusively by TOI, Usha raises serious concerns about the election, including allegations of incumbent officials canvassing for candidates, messages seeking confirmation of voter turnout and even references to the sports ministry in communications surrounding the secret ballot.In the letter, Usha also questioned the handling of her four representations by Returning Officer (RO) Sanjay K. Srivastava and asked the IOC to ascertain whether any government or outside influence was exerted during the election process.The letter comes in the wake of Usha’s own election failure, when the IOA president finished fifth with 40 votes in a six-man contest for the four women’s SOM positions. Anju Bobby George topped the list with 53 votes, followed by Rani Rampal (50), Dola Banerjee (45) and Saina Nehwal (43). Anitha Pauldurai secured six.In her letter, Usha clarified that her complaint is not aimed at challenging the outcome of the election “for the sake of its outcome” nor is it directed against any person for personal reasons. Instead, she said it was about the “conduct and oversight of the electoral process” and the need to preserve the autonomy of the IOA.Elaborating on her first allegation, Usha wrote that a WhatsApp communication circulated under the names of incumbent IOA executive committee members Dola Banerjee and Yogeshwar Dutt allegedly sought votes for a particular panel, identifying four candidates by name and voting details.It said it brought the communications to Srivastava’s attention, citing Articles 1.9 and 3.2 of the model code of conduct issued on October 30.Citing Article 3.2, Usha pointed out that incumbent EC members “shall refrain from public statements” and “must not endorse a candidate in any way”. She argued that the communications raised concerns about compliance with the code and equal treatment of candidates.Usha also claimed that a communication attributed to an existing IOA EC member raised concerns about voters being asked to confirm their voting activity. She separately referred to reports involving an individual identified as Sanjay Mishra, listed as the secretary of the Badminton Association, who allegedly asked athletes for confirmation after the vote and invoked the ministry through statements such as “from the ministry” and “the ministry is asking if we have a confirmation message”.Usha disputed the reference to the ministry, writing: “I am not suggesting that the ministry has issued such an instruction. But she has asked the IOC to independently find out whether the ministry or any government official sought information identifying voters or confirming their participation, and if not, why his name was used. She said any such monitoring could undermine the independence and confidentiality expected in secret elections.”Redressing her grievances, Usha claimed that she submitted four separate statements to Srivastava during the election process, but received “neither an acknowledgment nor substantive response” to any of them. It sought to examine the RO’s handling of these statements and whether mechanisms under the Model Code of Conduct were effectively applied.Citing Fundamental Principle 5 and Rules 27.6 and 2 of the Olympic Charter, Usha argued that if the concerns were valid, they went beyond an individual election dispute. She also linked the issue to India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, saying the IOA must uphold the standards of “independence, transparency and good governance” expected of the Olympic movement.Among her specific demands, Usha asked the IOC to investigate the alleged campaign by EC incumbents, investigate reported vote confirmation requests, determine whether any government or outside influence was exerted, and consider referring the matter to the appropriate department, the Office of Ethics and Compliance or the Ethics Commission. It also sought remedial measures to ensure future IOA elections.Claiming confidentiality, Usha said some information was shared by individuals who may be reluctant to come out publicly. It said it had withheld private WhatsApp communications and voter identification details to protect them from possible repercussions, while offering to provide supporting material through an appropriate confidential channel. The letter was also copied to IOC officials James Macleod and Jérôme Poivey.Usha recently met Coventry on the sidelines of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar on November 2 and discussed India’s Olympic and Asian Games bids in 2038.Meanwhile, sources in Ushaina’s camp said she is not considering approaching the courts to challenge the outcome of the SOM election, nor is she exploring the possibility of getting a nomination from the NSF to regain entry into the IOA general assembly as a voter. They said the camp’s hopes lay in the IOC’s intervention after the complaint, along with efforts to get the PMO to intervene in the “alleged irregularities”.Usha’s defeat followed an extraordinary withdrawal phase in which eight male candidates withdrew, leaving four elected unopposed, while five women withdrew, reducing the number of women to six. In the end, all 80 voters cast their votes. Usha secured 40 votes, but her letter has now shifted focus to the conduct and supervision of the elections themselves.