Anurag Thakur re-enters BFI election race, his camp challenges constitution changes

Former Sports Minister Anurag Thakur is once again in the race to become president of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), with his faction filing a fresh legal challenge against recent constitutional changes made by the Interim Committee.

The Himachal Pradesh Boxing Association (HPBA) has nominated both Thakur and its president Rajesh Bhandari as its representatives for the upcoming BFI elections on August 21. Thakur was also in contention for the elections originally scheduled for March 28, but was excluded from the Electoral College approved by then BFI president Ajay Singh and the then Returning Officer.

“We have sent Anurag Thakur and my name as HPBA’s representatives,” Bhandari said.

Monday was the final day to file nominations. Thakur’s previous exclusion had already led to legal action, with the next hearing scheduled for August 18. Bhandari now says a new suit challenges the validity of the constitutional revisions made by the Interim Committee — appointed by World Boxing — without Executive Council approval.

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“What they have done has led to a cause of action. We filed the suit on Monday. This is against the BFI Constitution. You cannot revise the constitution without getting it approved by the House,” Bhandari said.

A March 7 directive by Ajay Singh had stated: “Only bona fide and duly elected members during the election AGM (duly notified to BFI) of the State Units affiliated with the BFI shall be authorised,” which led to Thakur being deemed ineligible.

The revised BFI Constitution — approved by World Boxing on May 18 — defines a representative as “a person nominated by each Member to represent it at the General Council. Such person shall be an elected member of the State/UT Association in Election AGM in presence of BFI Observer and shall not be a Government servant or holding a public office.”

A BFI official said the constitution had to be revised to avoid suspension. The Sports Ministry is maintaining a wait-and-watch approach, citing the ongoing court case.

Former High Court judge Rajesh Tandon will serve as Returning Officer for the polls, having conducted the previous BFI elections in 2020–2024.