Not a good time for Srinivasan family: Brother Ramachandran facing revolt of his own at IOA

While ICC chairman (and former BCCI president) N Srinivasan deals with the very public war with current BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, his brother and IOA chief N Ramachandran is facing a revolt of his own at the Indian Olympic Association.

Clearly, the Srinivasan family is going through a rough time keeping hold of power positions in Indian sport.

Relationships between Ramachandran and IOA secretary-general Rajeev Mehta have reportedly broken down — possibly leading to a no-confidence motion against the former at a special general body meeting.

N Ramachandran. AFP

A DNA report says that tainted sports administrators Lalit Bhanot and Abhay Singh Chautala have finalised a plot to overthrow Ramachandran. It also says that Hockey India chief Narinder Batra has gained enough support to call for the meeting and remove Ramachandran — paving the way for a new president.

The IOA has only recently made its way back into the Olympic fold after a suspension — and IOC president Thomas Bach warned again against infighting among administrators: "I am not aware of this kind of movement. It would not be new for India. This is why, without knowing, I was sending this message and appealing for unity in the IOA. Our appeal to the IOA and NSFs (national sports federations) is to focus on the athletes. Make your athletes successful. IOA needs to find unity," he said at a press conference in New Delhi.

The allegations against Ramachandran are quite similar to those levelled against Srinivasan during his tenure at the BCCI — that he runs a one-man show without consulting members, and most importantly, his general secretary Mehta.

Despite being in the same hotel, Mehta refused to attend the press conference with Bach — and this is more proof of the cracks between Ramachandran and his general secretary. This also has much to owe to the fact that Ramachandran decided to meet Bach alone in Lausanne last month without consulting IOA members.

"Ramachandran, much like his brother N Srinivasan, believes in running the show all by himself. The IOA has 183 members and a majority of them believe that Ramachandran takes decision on his own without taking the members into confidence. It was very much evident during Bach's visit," an IOA member is quoted as saying in the report.

Click here to read the full DNA article.