New Delhi, July 14: Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju’s decision to contest the July 31 election of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) has evoked criticism with former sportspersons crying down the minister’s move.
Members of the ‘Clean Sports India’, created by former Indian sportspersons like hockey captain Pargat Singh, suspect that if Raju contests the poll he may influence the electorate to become the EFI President.
“We suspect that Mr Raju may try to use his political influence to get votes of the Army officers working under him to get elected to the EFI presidentship as majority of the electorate is from the armed forces,” said a statement issued today.
“We appeal to the Army chief General V K Singh, who is a rider himself, not to get influenced by his political boss.
–Agencies