There's no acting CEO of IOA: Usha declares no confidence bid against her illegal; lambasts Chaubey

Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha Thursday barred IOA staff from taking any instructions from joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey and rest of Executive Council members while declaring that agenda unveiled by him for October 25 Special General Body Meeting was "illegal and unauthorised".

On Wednesday, Chaubey issued a circular on official IOA letterhe, listing 26 agenda items for SGM to be held here on October 25. One of items was a vote of no confidence against Usha "in light of alleged constitutional violations and actions potentially detrimental to Indian sports".

Chaubey, who h issued circular "pursuant to a directive from 12 members of IOA EC", h signed it as IOA's joint secretary and acting CEO. Usha declared that Chaubey does not hold acting CEO's post.

He h earlier served as IOA's acting CEO before Raghuram Iyer took charge of post in January.

Usha, in a press release, termed Chaubey's action as "both illegal and in violation of IOA Constitution".

"In accordance with Article 8.1 of IOA Constitution, as President of IOA, I have alrey convened SGM, with due notice issued on 3 October 2024. Furr, I have not authorised Mr. Kalyan Chaubey, Jt Secretary IOA to convene any meeting or promulgate an agenda for SGM on 25 October 2024," she said.

"refore, any or agenda or notice for same meeting, including one issued by Mr. Kalyan Chaubey, is illegal, unauthorized, and must be viewed as being issued with malafide intent and needs to be disregarded." Usha h said that Iyer's appointment was approved by Executive Council (EC) in a meeting on January 5, while his salary was only issue left to be negotiated.

Twelve members (out of 15) of IOA Executive Council, including Chaubey, h refused to ratify Iyer's appointment as CEO.

After acrimonious EC meeting held on September 26, majority of EC members h said in a letter sent to International Olympic Committee (IOC) that Chaubey still remained as IOA's acting CEO.

"It has come to my attention that Mr. Kalyan Chaubey, impersonating himself as Acting CEO of IOA, has issued an agenda using official IOA stationery for a SGM ... This action is both illegal and in violation of IOA Constitution," Usha said.

"I want to make it unequivocally clear that current and only CEO of IOA is Mr. Raghuram lyer, who officially joined IOA on 15 January 2024. Despite certain members of IOA EC denying his appointment and withholding his salary for past nine months, Mr. lyer continues to serve in his role.

According to Article 8.1 of IOA Constitution, SGM may be summoned at any time by IOA President through CEO and/or by decision of a simple majority of Executive Council members.

But, Usha argued that EC can convene SGM only after a formal meeting.

"ditionally, it is also worth noting that for EC members to convene a SGM through CEO, such a decision can only be taken at an EC Meeting as required by IOA Constitution, which has not been convened in recent past," she said in Thursday's press release.

On October 3, Usha h convened SGM to be held on October 25 at IOA hequarters here. One of main items in agenda was to decide wher IOA EC was duty-bound to appoint CEO after completion of selection process by Nomination Committee.

circular issued by Chaubey on Wednesday h 26 agenda items. last item says: "To discuss and consider a motion of no confidence against president in light of alleged constitutional violations and actions potentially detrimental to Indian sports." While convening SGM, Usha h said that "this being an SGM, no or agenda items shall be taken up except as provided in present notice".

revolting EC members have not directly contested this assertion from Usha but y have implicitly me known ir contrary view by circular from Chaubey.

Usha also revealed that she was approached by "certain senior sports ministrators" who requested her to withdraw agenda for SGM and call off meeting.

" illegal notice issued by Mr. Chaubey now confirms my belief that re is a group of individuals working behind scenes to disrupt functioning of IOA. se individuals clearly have much to hide and are using select EC members to shield mselves from scrutiny," she said.

Passing a no confidence motion requires presence of three-fourth of total members to form a quorum and support of two-third voting members.