Slight mistake led to cancellation of Working Committee meeting, says BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel

BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel on Friday admitted that there was "a slight mistake" in the circular issued to summon a Working Committee meeting that led to its cancellation on the day.

"Every member knew what the meeting was called for. The meeting was called off as there was a slight mistake in issuing the notice. By mistake the word 'emergent' was not written," Patel told reporters here after the day's proceedings were over.

"A normal working committee meeting requires more time. Unfortunately it was just four days time. To avoid the technicality of it, the meeting was cancelled," he said.

A defiant N Srinivasan was today forced to drop his desperate bid to reinstate himself as BCCI President after the BCCI called off its Working Committee meeting, fearing legal trouble in the wake of Bombay High Court order that called the two-member probe panel, looking into IPL mess, as "illegal and unconstitutional".

Patel said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the findings of the IPL Governing Council.

"All the members were apprised of the present situation (in the wake of the court order). The meeting was only called for discussing IPL Governing Council's outcome. That was the only agenda. So for that matter also agenda was not circulated."

Patel said Srinivasan had already assumed his duties at the helm of BCCI's affairs but respecting the High Court's verdict he will step aside till time their petition is cleared in the Supreme Court.

"Let me clarify Srinivasan has already taken over after the Working Committee meeting in Kolkata. And after he had resumed the duty, the High Court order was received. So said he will step aside till the time an order comes from the Supreme Court," he said.

"Elected President of the board is Mr Srinivasan and he has only suggested and requested Mr Dalmiya to continue the way we are functioning right now. We are glad that Dalmiya has accepted to work in this situation," Patel said.

Patel said no decision to consitute a new panel to look into the role of CSK Team Principal and son-in-law of Srinvasan, Gurunath Meiyappan, and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra.

Meanwhile BCCI vice president Niranjan Shah rejected claims that people are opposed to Srinivasan making a comeback.

"I am very happy that the BCCI has today taken a very nice step to improve its image. There is no friction in the BCCI. Sometimes, we have different opinions," Shah remarked.

"Everything went on very smoothly," he said regarding today's meeting.

Asked about his comments on appointing a fresh committee to investigate the alleged corruption in the IPL, Shah said, "I had said, if needed, the BCCI should constitute a probe panel according to the High Court's order."

However, BCCI's interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya refused to comment on the day's developments.

"They are giving a paper (press release) and collect it. Why have you come here? You have to be at the right place," Dalmiya told reporters at the Delhi Airport, when asked for his comments.

Asked if he was given the charge to continue in his position as interim chief, he replied, "That's there."