Defying World Archery's suspension threats, the two factions of Archery Association of India Sunday unanimously elected two presidents -- union minister Arjun Munda and BVP Rao -- in separate elections in New Delhi and Chandigarh respectively.
Both the warring factions, who claimed to have followed the constitution and abided by the National Sports Code, will submit their respective compliance reports within six weeks to the Delhi High Court.
It, however, remains to be seen which of the two elections is declared constitutional.
After issuing a suspension threat, the World Archery had tried to have an unified election but all the talks to bring the two factions together failed.
A WA official said the world body will take a call on whether the AAI is to be suspended or not within "a week's time".
Till then, the Indian archers who are competing at the World Championships in Netherlands beginning Tuesday will be able to represent the country.
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"World Archery will receive the reports from both meetings, evaluate and then the executive board will decide next steps. It's likely to take one week," a WA official told PTI.
"The team manager's meeting (for the World Championships) was over today, which means 'India' are in the competition," the official added.
In New Delhi, Justice (retired) Kailash Gambhir declared Munda elected as president. Virender Sachdeva was made Secretary General.
"I can't comment on the dual federations, but we have strictly followed the process and it's time to work together for the benefit of Indian archers and take sport the forward," former Jharkhand chief minister Munda told PTI.
"This platform is created to take sport in the country to a greater height. Let's not bring politics into it."
Asked about WA's suspension threat, he said: "They have to see who has followed the genuine process and take a call. Legal formalities will be met. We have got the support from most of the states in India."
On the absence of an observer he said: "Government did not send any observer. Even in the last elections which was held under the supervision of Delhi HC appointed SY Quraishi, we did not have any observer. I've also written to the Prime Minister."
Executive body headed by Arjun Munda:
Senior Vice-president: Sunil Sharma
Secretary General: Virender Sachdeva
Joint Secretaries: Manoj Kumar, K B Gurung, Chetan Kavlekar, Shihan Hussaini, Komjum Riba, Raghunath Rana, Ashish Tomar
Executive body headed by B V P Rao:
Senior Vice-President: G A Ibopishak Sharma
Vice-Presidents: Ananthraju, K S Kang, Cherukuri Satyanarayana, Jayanta Boro, V Lalzawmliana, Kailash Murarka, D K Vidyarthi
Secretary General: Maha Singh
Treasurer: Samikhya Nanda Das
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