N. Srinivasan has several options before the much-awaited BCCI elections that the Supreme Court, on January 22, ruled should be held within six weeks.
Sources close to Srinivasan said since he had been cleared by the apex court of any involvement in betting or cover up, nobody could cast aspersions on his integrity.
Srinivasan has two paths to surmount the ‘conflict of interest’ hurdle. He and his family could sell their nearly 30 per cent stake in Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the most successful team in IPL history.
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In case the apex court does not find that enough, India Cements, which is the complete owner of CSK, could hive off the franchise to the highest bidder after proper valuation is done.
The source said, “In that case, Mr. Srinivasan would have nothing to do with CSK. There would be no conflict of interest in him becoming BCCI chief.”
He would continue to remain the managing director of India Cements, which would have no interests in CSK.
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However, the source said Srinivasan would first need a clarification on what was felt to be an “ambiguity” in the Supreme Court verdict.
“While Mr. Srinivasan has been cleared of any wrongdoing, it is not clear whether he needs to wait for six months till the three-member committee reaches a conclusion before contesting. We believe since he has been given a clean chit, he should be able to contest.”
Strong supportMany members in the BCCI, the source said, wanted Srinivasan to contest the BCCI elections. “Given the kind of tactics adopted by the other group, there is greater determination to see that he becomes president.”
The Srinivasan camp was also confident that CSK would not be disenfranchised since the three-member panel appointed by the Supreme Court was asked to look into, among other provisions, article 4 of the Board’s anti-corruption code where the maximum penalty is suspension and the minimum punishment is a reprimand.