A clause in the rules of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prevented the 15 working committee members with voting rights from demanding N. Srinivasan’s resignation in Chennai on Sunday.
Nothing contrary would have happened even in a special general meeting (SGM) where all 30 full members have the right to make their choice in a division of votes to determine the outcome of a specified resolution.
According to rule 15 (v), a vacancy for the office of president can occur only in the event of (1) his death (2), being adjudged insolvent (3), convicted in a criminal case by a competent court (4), by resignation or otherwise, for example consequent to being expelled for misconduct as per rule 32 of the rules and regulations for players, umpires, team officials, administrators, referees and selectors.
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This particular point was highlighted by BCCI vice-president Niranjan Shah. Shah, the secretary of the Saurashtra Cricket Association since 1972-73 and a former Board secretary, expressed his disgust at the damage caused by the spot-fixing allegations.
On the subject of Srinivasan’s resignation, Shah said the matter “should be between himself (Srinivasan) and the rules and regulations of the board.”
Once the cricketers and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team official Gurunath Meiyappan were arrested, persons holding elected positions in the member associations, but without a mandate to express opinions, told the media that Srinivasan should quit for propriety’s sake.
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However, Mumbai Cricket Association president Ravi Savant told The Hindu on Monday that the rules and regulations of the BCCI were paramount.
Savant also pointed out another clause which empowered the working committee to take steps such as the one on Sunday when Jagmohan Dalmiya was authorised to discharge the president’s duties until the BCCI probe was completed.
According to the BCCI’s rules and regulations, the working committee can act as is necessary and expedient to carry out the Board’s objectives, even in a manner not expressly specified therein.