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Raninder Singh has been re-elected as the President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for a record fourth time after he defeated BSP MP Shyam Singh Yadav 56-3 in the elections. Meanwhile, Kanwar Sultan Singh was elected unopposed as the secretary general of the national shooting body while Randeep Mann got chosen as the treasurer.
Furthermore, Odisha MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo will continue to lead as federation's senior vice-president alongside the other eight vice-presidents. It should also be known that Pawan Kumar Singh will remain the apex body's joint secretary along with Sheila Kanungo after the duo was elected unopposed to the post.
While a total of 59 members represented the general body of the NRAI, 56 of them voted in favour of Raninder, the three other votes were cast in favour of his opponent Yadav, who serves as the President of the Uttar Pradesh State Rifle Association.
Notably, the NRAI had decided to proceed with the polls despite the various obstacles it faced owing to the petition filed by challenger Yadav in the Delhi High Court which was followed by the sports ministry's directive to start fresh elections. Yadav happens to be a Lok Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur constituency.
Time has come to take Indian shooting to another level: Raninder
Despite all, NRAI did not shy away from conducting the polls since there was no order on it from the court. The matter, however, is still pending with the Delhi High Court and the next date is scheduled in December.
"This election was not about the chair but about its basic capability to be autonomous, yet at the same time not be violative of a National Sports Code we genuinely welcome and voluntarily follow," Raninder said as quoted in a PTI report.
"Indeed, the strength the code provides us, has and will continue to support us in presenting clarity and strength to discharge our duty to the sport and its athletes. But more importantly, not allow shadowy mentors of dubious challengers to politicise," he added.
"Together we have achieved a lot for Indian shooting and the time has now come to take it to another level," he further said.