N. Srinivasan's Presence Forces BCCI to Adjourn Working Committee Meeting
N. Srinivasan was representing Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. His presence forced BCCI to call off the all-important working committee meeting due to "lack of legal clarity."
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was forced to adjourn its all-important working committee meeting in Kolkata on Friday after the presence of former Board chief N. Srinivasan created a lot of confusion among its members. The adjournment means several important decisions, including a clear cut Indian Premier League (IPL) roadmap now hangs in the balance. No fresh date has been decided as this was supposed to be the last working committee meeting before next month's Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Following deliberations with senior BCCI members and legal head Ushanath Bannerjee, president Jagmohan Dalmiya told reporters that the meeting was being adjourned due to "lack of legal clarity" on Srinivasan's participation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Working Committee meeting was adjourned sine die after deciding to seek the opinion of the Hon'ble Supreme Court whether Mr. N. Srinivasan could attend the meetings of the BCCI as the authorised representative of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association," read an official statement from BCCI. Friday's meeting was crucial because it was supposed to decide the fate of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in IPL.
There was high drama ahead of the meeting on Friday after Srinivasan was adamant on participation as president of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA).
Srinivasan's presence somewhat divided the Board. While Dalmiya was opposing the former Board president's presence, certain factions - including Indian Premier League chairman Rajeev Shukla - felt that the TNCA president's participation should not be stalled. Srinivasan was also armed with legal documents. It may be pertinent to mention that Chennai have taken BCCI to court over its two-year suspension from the IPL.
Two former presidents, Sharad Pawar and Shashank Manohar, were also against Srinivasan's participation. Earlier this week, Cricket Association of Bihar, whose petition in 2014 had triggered the IPL scandal case in the Supreme Court, also opposed Srinivasan's participation in the working committee meeting. (Read more here)
It may be recalled that the Supreme Court had stood down Srinivasan from BCCI activities due to his conflict of interest as he had commercial dealings as the owner of Chennai Super Kings through India Cements. (Also read: CSK petition to stay IPL suspension stayed by Madras High Court)
The only positive outcome of Friday's meeting has been that the date for the BCCI AGM has been fixed for September 27. It will be another round of 'war' among officials as Srinivasan will be keen to extract his pound of flesh while the current BCCI management may knock him off as the chairman of International Cricket Council.
(With inputs from Rica Roy)