N. Srinivasan, President, Board of Control for Cricket in India, finally succumbed to pressure from his board members by stepping aside from his post over the IPL spot-fixing scandal that involved his son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, and a clutch of cricketers.
Jagmohan Dalmiya, former President, BCCI, will conduct the day-to-day affairs of the board. This decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the working committee. This is only a stop-gap arrangement till the probe is over, said the BCCI.
It was a day of hectic board-room parleys. While none of themembers spoke to the media contingent waiting outside the venue, a statement from Anurag Thakur, Joint Secretary, BCCI, said: “N. Srinivasan, President, BCCI, has announced that he will not discharge his duties as the president of the board till such time the probe is completed. Till such time Jagmohan Dalmiya will conduct the day-to-day affairs of the board.”
“The committee expressed full confidence in Sanjay Jagdale and Ajay Shirke and requested them to withdraw their resignations in the larger interest of the board.”
This arrangement is only for one month, I.S. Bindra, President, Punjab Cricket Association, told reporters. Dalmia has not been assigned any designation. Every week there will be a working committee meeting, said Bindra.
For the contingent of over 100 journalists, it was a long wait outside the Park Sheraton since morning. Srinivasan arrived at 10.40 am, and other members followed later. Journalists waiting outside were kept in suspense, as there was no word till 5 pm. There was a minor tussle between the reporters and bouncers, who objected to the media-persons blocking the way for guests.
In an interview to NDTV, Srinivasan said that not a single person challenged him during the meeting, which went on smoothly and with no acrimony.
“I have taken an extraordinary and fair step by saying I will not discharge my functions. My decision was announced after the members expressed their views at the meeting,” he told the channel.
raja.simhan@thehindu.co.in