The KSCA elections, originally slated for November 30, have now been postponed to December 30. Electoral officer Dr B. Basavaraju (Retd. IAS) announced the deferment after citing an active court injunction and a lack of clarity from the Managing Committee regarding key election-related queries.
In his letter dated November 17, he said that though representations were sought from KSCA on the 14th and 15th, the association replied on Monday morning and that too, the documents produced were not adequate to clarify the pending issues.
Dr. Basavaraju mentioned that the injunction in O.S. No. 7680/2025 is in force and was scheduled to be heard on December 16. Until further court directions are given, and pending the resolution of the dispute within the association, he argued that it would not be appropriate to go ahead with the election process.
The electoral officer, emphasising his duty to ensure a free, fair, and legally compliant election, said he was “constrained” to defer the polls to December 30.
Strong Reactions From Venkatesh Prasad’s Camp For KSCA Elections
The postponement brought sharp criticism from the former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad, who is in the fray for KSCA president with several ex-cricketers’ support. Prasad said he was “stunned” by the sudden decision and called it an unexpected setback.
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He stressed that his panel did not have any problems with the Election Commission and respected its authority but felt that cricket—not politics had to remain the priority.
Former KSCA treasurer Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who is contesting for secretary along with Prasad, directly blamed the Managing Committee for the disruption.
“There has been a total lack of cooperation,” said Mruthyunjaya. “The confusion has been orchestrated, and the Managing Committee is fully responsible.”
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He urged KSCA members to oppose what he called undemocratic style of governance.
In a statement, KSCA CEO Shubhendu Ghosh explained that member A.V. Shashidara had obtained an ex parte interim order from the Trial Court without the association being heard.
The said order was challenged by the KSCA by filing a writ petition in the High Court, which set it aside on Monday. Ghosh said the outcome should enable the election to be held as scheduled, barring the date of scrutiny.
A.V. Shashidara promptly issued a detailed rebuttal, accusing the KSCA of misrepresenting the facts. He insisted that never did he ask for a stay on the elections.
Shashidara explained that his civil suit, filed on November 3, challenged what he called the Managing Committee’s illegal reinterpretation of the nine-year tenure rule contradicting established Supreme Court, High Court, and KSCA by-law interpretations.
He explained that the interim order of the Civil Court on November 5 did not stay the elections, but only stayed the use of certain Legal Advisory Committee minutes.
Shashidara further emphasized that:
No court ever stayed the elections.
The Division Bench of the High Court had ordered on November 10 that elections be held as scheduled.
KSCA’s decision to postpone the polls was unconnected with his suit. “Instead of complying with the Court’s directive to conduct elections under the existing by-laws, the KSCA has chosen to postpone them without valid justification,” he said.
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