MP Naveen Jindal takes aim at presidency of National Rifle Association of India

In a development that could shake up the shooting community, BJP MP and industrialist Naveen Jindal is set to contest the election for the presidency of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).

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The sport’s governing body is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting (AGM) to elect a new executive committee between August and September.

“I have been a shooter myself and I love the sport. India has the potential to become the number one team in the world. Everyone must pitch in to make it better,” Jindal, who is also the Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power, and founding chancellor of OP Jindal Global University, told The Tribune on Monday.

“My friends, some of whom I’ve known for 30 years, wanted me to contest the election. I’ve told them to get ready for the fight and be prepared to take up responsibilities for the sport,” he added. Jindal will likely face off against the current NRAI chief and BJD MLA from Bolangir, Kalikesh Singh Deo, for the top post. Deo became president last September after the then president Raninder Singh was forced out by a government order.

It is learnt that Jindal hosted a few members of state associations at a dinner on Saturday to gauge his support. Over 18 of the 34 units were represented in the informal discussions. The industrialist’s name as a potential candidate had been circulating within the shooting community for over a month. Some neutral voters questioned whether the MP would have the time to run the sport while managing a large industrial empire, but the shooter in him dismisses such doubts.

“I do a lot of things, and I do them well. I am passionate about shooting and will establish a system for the betterment of the sport. Yes, I will be busy, but my efforts will be for the good of shooting,” he added.