The ruling group in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold an ‘informal’ meeting here on Sunday afternoon. The gathering, essentially seen as a show of support for the Board’s president in exile N. Srinivasan, will discuss the situation arising out of the Supreme Court’s directive to the Mudgal Committee to extend the probe into corruption charges in the Indian Premier League by two months.
Since the annual general meeting, scheduled on September 28, requires the signing of the balance sheet by the Board president before commencing, there are indications that the meeting could be postponed.
With the apex court ruling that Srinivasan, also the ICC chairman, could be reinstated as the BCCI president only after the completion of the probe and the interim chief Shivlal Yadav not having the powers to sign the book of accounts, a difficult situation has arisen for the Board.
A source close to Srinivasan told The Hindu that Sunday’s meeting here could be attended by Srinivasan. “Since the meeting is only of an informal nature and is not an official gathering of the Board, Mr. Srinivasan might take part in it.”
He added, “Mr. Srinivasan could contest for the post of the Board president in the AGM if he is nominated by East Zone. As far as we see it, there is no bar on him standing in the elections again.” As many as 22 of the 30 BCCI members are expected to support Srinivasan.
The possibility of the AGM being postponed also looms. There is a precedent, in 2004 when legal hurdles led to the annual meeting being put off for more than a month.
Of course, much will depend on the view the apex court takes on the matter. The Mudgal Committee might also file an ‘interim report’ on Srinivasan or others that could influence proceedings.
