Former BCCI chief expected to come out of 'retirement' in meet today; board may name probe panel to propose to SC
The endgame has begun. And N Srinivasan better watch out.
Several significant decisions are expected to be taken at the emergent working committee meeting of the BCCI at the Cricket Centre here on Sunday afternoon. And the man who could play a huge role in the much-needed clean-up is Shashank Manohar, Srinivasan's predecessor and ally-turned-foe.
Stunning as it may sound, Manohar, who was BCCI president from 2008 to 2011, is coming out of 'retirement' to represent the Vidarbha Cricket Association at the 23-member gathering of the most powerful arm of the board. Manohar was recently 'co-opted' into the executive board of the VCA and that means he can't represent his home association in BCCI meetings.
Interim president (BCCI-related affairs) Shivlal Yadav, who was thrust into the hot seat by the Supreme Court, will chair the meeting, but all the talking is expected to be done by Manohar and Jagmohan Dalmiya, the board's eastern point man. More than 15 associations requested Manohar to attend the meeting and the senior lawyer, a vocal critic of Srinivasan and his policies, thankfully obliged.
It is understood that the working committee will appoint a three-member probe panel comprising individuals of "unimpeachable integrity". These individuals will be from outside the board. The board will then instruct its lawyers to propose these names to the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Also, a proposal will be tabled to remove Srinivasan from the high-profile disciplinary committee of the BCCI. This committee also comprises Yadav and Rajeev Shukla, the BCCI vice-president (Central Zone) and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association chief.
There will also be a discussion on Srinivasan representing India at the International Cricket Council. It is common knowledge that Srinivasan, who in connivance with the cricket boards of England and Australia, brought about a restructuring of the ICC. He also created a position — that of chairman — for himself and is expected to assume the top post in July.
"Many associations are against Srinivasan taking over as ICC chairman. This will come up for discussion on Sunday," a source said, adding that if the matter were to be put to vote, then the Manohar-Dalmiya camp would win hands down. "Of the 23 officials set to attend the meeting, only the five vice-presidents don't have the right to vote. The very presence of Manohar will suffice. His camp will easily garner 12 to 14 of the 18 votes. All they need is a simply majority," the source added. The decision of the working committee will then have to be ratified by the general body. "There will be talk about holding a special general body meeting soon. The dates could be finalised on Sunday," the source further said.
It remains to be seen what stance Srinivasan loyalists take on Sunday. Will they stand by their godfather? Or will they abandon ship and toe Manohar's line? In any case, Srinivasan's grip on the board, which he has ruled with an iron fist, is clearly set to loosen. Things could get even worse in the days to come.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}