Venkatesh Prasad is set to take over as the next president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association unopposed, in the aftermath of KN Shanth Kumar’s nomination papers being rejected during scrutiny. The highly anticipated election is scheduled to be held on December 7.
Shanth Kumar, who belongs to ‘Team Brijesh’, is currently a director of The Printers (Mysore) Private Limited and the president of the DH and PV Sports Club. Shanth Kumar is said to have defaulted on the club’s annual subscription for a period of four years, which in turn goes against the KSCA’s bylaws. In that context, Kalpana Venkatachar was the only other contestant eligible to take part in the election for the post of president. However, she withdrew her nomination in favour of Prasad.
A couple of other nomination papers belonging to Dr Srikanth Rai and Vinay Mruthyunjaya were also made invalid on the grounds of defaulting on dues and the absence of an affidavit. Both belong to Prasad’s ‘Team Gamechangers’.
Mruthyunjaya noted, “It pains me to share that my nomination for the KSCA elections has been rejected on technical grounds. As a result, I will not be contesting in the upcoming elections. This decision has been a personal setback, but it has not shaken my commitment or my resolve. In fact, it has only strengthened my belief in the change we are all striving for.
“My full strength, energy, and unwavering support now stand firmly behind Team Gamechangers, ably led by our legendary cricketer Venkatesh Prasad. Though I may be out of the contest, I am very much in this fight — leading from the front, working tirelessly, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our team.
“Will share the Team Gamechangers full list of candidates with their serial numbers shortly. I humbly seek your continued support, goodwill, and blessings for Team Gamechangers, so together we can bring fairness, transparency, and true progress to the KSCA,” he added.
Earlier, in a press meet, Prasad had come down heavily on ‘Team Brijesh’. “By saving so much money, you have neglected the sport which has given Chinnaswamy the status. Your international matches have been taken away from the stadium due to the unfortunate stampede. What was the reason for the authorities to write a letter to have the celebrations? It is franchise cricket, not state cricket. You need to take proper approval from the authorities. Despite the stampede, four of them, who were in the previous committee, are contesting now.
“One of them is contesting as an office-bearer. I don’t want to take the name. And the person who is contesting for that office-bearer position had resigned on moral grounds just three months back (in the aftermath of the stampede). In three months, the morality is gone. Who is putting this team together? It is only Brijesh Patel. And it is called ‘Team Brijesh Patel.’ Look, he is a very good cricketer, played at the highest level. He has been a good administrator, I admire that. But what is the point in controlling from behind? It is backseat-driving syndrome,” he pointed out.
