Senior office-bearers welcome decision

Following Friday’s Supreme Court clarification on holding of a post in State associations and BCCI, many administrators heaved a sigh of relief.

While BCCI joint-secretary Amitabh Choudhary said he was “never confused” about the tenure clause, IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla was delighted. “I am glad the confusion is over,” Shukla told The Hindu.

Shukla, by attending the IPL auction in Bengaluru had raised eyebrows, especially in the wake of the CoA having put the onus of eligibility on respective individuals. Friday’s development has put the matter to rest.

A former BCCI office-bearer, requesting anonymity, referred to the development as “a slap on CoA’s face.” But he wondered if it would lead to “more confusion”.

It would be interesting to see if Choudhary and treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry can continue as office-bearers. On January 2, the Apex Court had directed they could continue provided they submitted an affidavit on implementing the reforms within four weeks.

If the duo is eligible, it would also put a question mark over BCCI’s representatives at the ICC Board meeting in April.

The CoA has authorised chief executive Rahul Johri and a CoA member to attend the CEO’s and Board meetings respectively. However, if they are allowed to continue, Chaudhry and Choudhary can stake a claim for representing the BCCI.