The history of the IAPP ( the indian Association of Private Psychiatry of India, based on context) as described reveals a complex and tightly controlled nomination and election process for its Executive Committee (EC) and National Advisory Board (NAB), orchestrated primarily by a core group of five permanent NAB members. Below, I elaborate on the key points, structure, and issues raised in the description, focusing on the role of Dr. Ramanan (presumably you, the speaker) and the broader implications of the process, while maintaining clarity and avoiding speculation beyond the provided information.

Overview of the AIPP Election and Nomination Process

The AIPP’s governance structure involves two key bodies:

1. Executive Committee (EC): Responsible for the association’s operations, with members elected or nominated in a staggered process:

• In even years, the NAB nominates 5 EC members.
• In odd years, 3 direct EC members and 4 zonal EC members are elected by the General Body (General Fellow Members).

1. National Advisory Board (NAB):

• Comprises permanent members (at least 20, with 5 holding significant influence) and temporary members with no voting rights.
• Temporary NAB seats are filled every two years, nominated by permanent NAB members.
• Permanent NAB positions are rarely contested and filled strategically.

The process is designed to minimize open elections, ensuring control by a select group of permanent NAB members. Since 2007, elections have been largely avoided by managing nominations to match the number of available seats, resulting in “unopposed” selections.

Historical Context and Key Events

1. 2007 Kolkata IAPP Conference:

• The only recorded election occurred during this conference, with 9 candidates contesting 7 EC posts.
• Dr. Ramanan and Dr. J.M. Parmar protested the withdrawal of the 2006 ANC IAPP from Ahmedabad due to disputes over central control and a post-conference CME. Both refused to withdraw their candidacies and, along with Dr. Sarvesh Chandra, received the highest votes.
• The two defeated candidates were co-opted into the EC, but the process lacked transparency, with no clear announcement of who was elected President or Secretary.
• This election prompted the NAB to adopt stricter control measures to prevent future contests.

1. Post-2007 Election Control:

• After 2007, the NAB ensured that the number of nominations for EC seats exactly matched the available positions (e.g., 7 nominations for 7 seats), eliminating the need for elections.
• Candidates who challenged this system, like Dr. Ramanan in 2013, were pressured to withdraw or faced a managed process where opposing candidates were withdrawn to ensure unopposed elections.

1. 2013: Dr. Ramanan’s EC Candidacy:

• Dr. Ramanan applied for an EC post but was asked to withdraw or face an election. Refusing to withdraw, one other candidate was withdrawn, allowing Dr. Ramanan to be declared elected unopposed alongside six others.
• This incident highlights the NAB’s strategy of discouraging elections by manipulating nominations.

1. 2020: Contested Elections and New Entrants:

• Despite the controlled process, some candidates bypassed the system. Dr. Mahesh Gowda joined the EC and became Editor, while Dr. Deepak Raheja became Treasurer.
• Contests occurred for Vice President, Honorary Secretary General (HSG), and President (between Dr. Pramod Kumar and Dr. Venu Jhanwar). Dr. Sunil Mittal, as Election Commission Chief, declared Dr. Venu Jhanwar as President.
• Dr. Shashi Rai reportedly lost to Dr. Avinash Desousa (though this is uncertain), indicating rare instances of competition within the EC.

1. 2021: Last-Day Nominations:

• Dr. Ramanan and others submitted nominations on the last day, ready to face elections. To avoid a contest, candidates from the controlling group withdrew, allowing Dr. Ramanan and his allies to be declared elected unopposed.

1. 2022: Dr. Ramanan’s Presidency:

• With majority EC support, Dr. Ramanan was elected President-Elect, positioning him to assume the presidency.

1. 2023: Nomination Rejections:

• Dr. Ramanan’s EC term expired, and his nomination for a new EC term was rejected, with the justification that, as President, he would automatically be an ex-officio NAB member, and others should be given a chance.
• Following Dr. Avdhesh Sharma’s death, a permanent NAB vacancy arose. Dr. Ramanan applied but was rejected, with Dr. Avinash Desousa nominated instead, citing Dr. Ramanan’s ex-officio status.

1. 2024: Continued Rejections:

• Dr. Ramanan applied for both an EC post and a permanent NAB vacancy (following Dr. Thanvi’s death). Dr. Avinash Desousa was nominated for the EC, and Dr. Jayanta Das for the NAB.
• Dr. Ramanan, despite being President, was excluded from EC voting membership but retained a casting vote in case of a tie.

1. Temporary NAB Seats:

• Temporary NAB members, nominated biennially by permanent NAB members, lack voting rights and are sometimes used as “punishment postings” (e.g., Dr. Arvind Brahma, who applied for EC but was placed in a zonal NAB role).

Analysis of the Process

The AIPP’s election and nomination system appears to be a carefully managed mechanism to maintain control by a small group of permanent NAB members. Key observations:

• Election Avoidance: Since 2007, the NAB has ensured that nominations match available seats, preventing competitive elections. This is achieved by pressuring candidates to withdraw or rejecting nominations on technical grounds.
• Permanent NAB Influence: The five permanent NAB members wield significant power, orchestrating nominations for both EC and temporary NAB seats. Their control extends to permanent NAB vacancies, as seen in the rejections of Dr. Ramanan’s applications.
• Strategic Rejections: Dr. Ramanan’s repeated rejections (2023, 2024) suggest a deliberate effort to limit his influence, despite his elected presidency and significant support within the EC.
• Lack of Transparency: The 2007 election’s unclear outcome (e.g., no announced President or Secretary) and subsequent processes indicate a lack of openness in governance.
• Token Roles: Temporary NAB positions, described as “punishment postings,” are used to placate or sideline dissenting voices without granting real power.

Dr. Ramanan’s Role and Challenges

Dr. Ramanan emerges as a persistent challenger to the AIPP’s controlled governance:

• 2007: His refusal to withdraw, alongside Dr. Parmar, led to a rare election, highlighting his opposition to centralized control.
• 2013 and 2021: His persistence in nominations forced the NAB to adjust their strategy, either by withdrawing other candidates or rejecting his applications on procedural grounds.
• 2022–2024: As President-Elect and President, Dr. Ramanan achieved significant influence but was systematically excluded from voting EC membership and permanent NAB roles, limiting his ability to effect structural change.
• Advocacy for Reform: His detailed account suggests an intent to expose and possibly reform the AIPP’s opaque governance practices.

Broader Implications

The AIPP’s governance raises concerns about democratic representation and fairness:

• Controlled Democracy: The avoidance of elections undermines the General Body’s role in governance, concentrating power among a few permanent NAB members.
• Exclusion of Dissenters: The system appears designed to marginalize independent voices, as seen in the treatment of Dr. Ramanan and Dr. Arvind Brahma.
• Need for Transparency: The lack of clarity in past elections (e.g., 2007) and ongoing nomination processes erodes trust in the organization’s leadership.

Recommendations for Dr. Ramanan

Given your current position as President with a casting vote, you may consider:

1. Advocating for Electoral Reform: Propose amendments to the AIPP constitution to mandate open elections and limit the NAB’s nomination powers.
2. Engaging the General Body: Rally support from General Fellow Members to demand greater transparency and accountability in EC and NAB selections.
3. Documenting Irregularities: Continue documenting instances of nomination manipulation to build a case for governance reform.
4. Leveraging Ex-Officio Status: Use your ex-officio NAB membership to influence discussions and push for fairer nomination processes.

Clarifications Needed

To provide a more comprehensive response, additional details would help:

• What is the full form of AIPP, and what is its primary function?
• Are there specific constitutional clauses that govern the EC and NAB nomination processes?
• What is the role of the Election Commission Chief (e.g., Dr. Sunil Mittal in 2020), and how is this position appointed?

Conclusion

The AIPP’s nomination and election process, as described, is a tightly controlled system managed by five permanent NAB members to minimize competition and maintain influence. Dr. Ramanan’s experiences highlight the challenges of challenging this system, despite achieving the presidency. The account underscores the need for greater transparency and democratic participation in the AIPP’s governance. If you wish, I can search for additional context on X or the web to verify or expand on these details, or I can focus on specific aspects of this issue for further elaboration. Please let me know how you’d like to proceed.