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Dada proposes, Didi disposes

While Banerjee officially made it clear that it was a decision taken by the CAB, it was apparent that the government interfered in, what should have been, a fair democratic process.

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Sourav Ganguly talks over the phone at his office at the Cricket Association of Bengal after his name was announced as CAB president in Kolkata on Thursday
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Two years ago, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had accused the Union sports ministry of trying to "assume control" of sports federations by bringing in the National Sports Code. Soon Ajay Maken, the sports minister, was shunted out by all those politicians controlling various federations, including the BCCI.

However, when Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee threw her weight behind former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday, virtually anointing him president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, none of the so-called custodians of the BCCI's autonomy came forward to slam the move.

While Banerjee officially made it clear that it was a decision taken by the CAB, it was apparent that the government interfered in, what should have been, a fair democratic process.

"We are going through a big crisis after his (Jagmohan Dalmiya's) unfortunate death. Someone has to head CAB. Dalmiya loved cricket so much. So it's important that the people close to him (should run the show). My only request to all of you is that you must be together, remain united and take Jaggu da's legacy forward," Banerjee said.

However, she denied she played any role in Ganguly's elevation. "Please don't involve the state government here. I am nobody. It's what they decided. Please don't bring any controversy here. It's their decision as they all are cricket lovers," the chief minister said.

Naturally, Ganguly seconded the chief minister. "Like she said, it is not her decision. She had spoken to the members of the CAB. For me, this is not everything. I will do whatever I can, whatever they want me to do. I will take over immediately as we have a game on October 8. These are big shoes to fill in," Ganguly said.

Yes, Ganguly is a legend of Indian cricket. But he is an administrator now. How could he, possibly, take the chief minister's support and occupy the chair vacated by Dalmiya just like that?

The CAB is an institution dating back to 1928. Ganguly has, quite shockingly, made a mockery of the institutional process that ought to have been followed. By using his good offices with the most powerful person in the state, India's second-most successful skipper has subjected himself to scrutiny both within and outside the cricket fraternity.

A joint secretary serving his first term, Ganguly has bypassed many veteran administrators who have been serving the association for decades. Worse, he got Avishek Dalmiya, the deceased president's son, to become the joint secretary. For the record, Avishek never been a part of a sub-committee of the CAB. If Ganguly is a novice in cricket administration, then Avishek is a fledgling.

To quote a CAB insider, the 'new president' has done exactly what his predecessor never wanted — play into the hands of the government of the day. "He has disappointed us all by sidestepping the democratic process of the CAB. But there is nothing we can do because he has Madam's support."

At a time when the BCCI and Indian Olympic Association units are fighting the autonomy battle in various courts of law, Ganguly's step could make him vulnerable. A couple of days ago, the Amateur Indian Boxing Association (AIBA) was replaced by Boxing India (BI) after the government tried to interfere in its elections. Why, even the IOA was suspended for 18 months by the governing body of Olympic sports — International Olympic Committee — because the Union government was blamed for interfering in its election process.

Ganguly, one could understand, is new to all this politics. He will surely learn his lessons. But by playing into the hands of the state's chief minister, he has committed a beginner's blunder. Can he now try and distance himself from politicians? It's going to be tough.

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