NEW DELHI: PT Usha’s second-term bid as Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president unravelled in 11 days, as a campaign for change within and outside the IOA gathered pace during her absence while she was in Dakar for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), according to people familiar with developments. The week began on October 29. Usha met two influential political figures in Delhi, seeking their assurance and blessings for another term, sources said. At 7.09 pm, she filed her nomination for the Sportsperson of Outstanding Merit (SOM) election. That evening, she flew to Dakar for the YOG as part of the Indian delegation, with key office staff.After her departure, sources familiar with back-channel discussions alleged that those seeking a leadership change became active. Several calls, meetings in and outside Delhi and private message exchanges followed. As nominations deadline of Oct 30 passed, Usha’s camp sensed alignments were shifting.The draft list, released the next day, deepened the unease. Usha was reportedly alerted in Dakar to a possible rebellion against her presidency. People close to her camp acknowledge that opposition had been building privately for four to five months. They say she was caught off guard and underestimated the challenge. Usha had planned to return on Nov 7. Developments prompted her to cut short the visit, sources said. Two scheduled International Olympic Committee (IOC) engagements kept her in the Senegal capital until Nov 2: a breakfast meeting with IOC vice-president Nawal El Moutawakel and four other delegates, followed by talks with IOC president Kirsty Coventry. They discussed India’s 2036 Olympics bid and prospects of hosting the 2038 Asian Games. After the meetings, Usha booked a Nov 3 flight home, reached Delhi on Nov 4 morning and by noon, was present at the IOA office meeting with key aides. By then, mass withdrawals and changing positions among prospective SOM candidates had made her re-election prospects look uncertain, sources said.Sources alleged influential figures urged Usha to withdraw from the SOM contest. She declined, relying on assurances she believed she had received from her political bosses. She eventually lost by finishing fifth with 40 votes in a six-woman contest, possibly ending her bid for a second term as IOA president. Her backers concede she needed to be more proactive: the challenge had been taking shape while she was away. However, Usha separately wrote to electoral officer Sanjay K Srivastava to question an inclusion on the final SOM roster, allegedly of female SOM candidate Dola Banerjee’s brother Rahul citing conflict of interest. It sought scrutiny of eligibility and inclusion or exclusion decisions, asking who authorised the inclusion of Rahul, under which rule and on what documentary basis, and whether a conflict of interest had been disclosed by Dola.Usha also filed four complaints with the electoral officer, in possession of TOI. They raised concerns over alleged requests for voters to confirm participation or provide proof of votes; messages invoking the sports ministry to seek voter confirmations; and WhatsApp appeals for a panel and four candidates, allegedly circulated by incumbent IOA executive committee members. She sought inquiry under Model Code of Conduct and ballot secrecy. Sources informed that Usha received no response from Srivastava till date.
