BCCI Polls Uncertain After Probe Extension

By Express News Service

Published: 02nd September 2014 06:09 AM

Last Updated: 02nd September 2014 06:09 AM

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  N Srinivasan

CHENNAI: The Supreme Court’s decision to grant a two-month extension to the Mudgal Commission clouds the future of the BCCI annual general meeting. According to board constitution, it has to be held before September 30. With the clock ticking, board members are expecting a working committee meeting before taking other decisions.

Among other matters at the AGM, elections could be crucial, considering N Srinivasan’s tenure gets over this year. He became president in 2011 and won a one-year extension in 2013. Under normal circumstances, his reign ends in 2014 and he can seek a re-election. But with the court asking him to stay aside until the IPL probe is over, the situation remains complicated.

Following an earlier ruling, Shivlal Yadav was appointed interim president. It was said he would continue until the completion of the probe. After Monday’s ruling, whether Yadav’s stint should also get longer is something that the working committee can ponder. “The constitution says the AGM has to be held by September 30, but the situation is different this year. It’s up to the working committee to decide,” said a senior official. BCCI office bearers were not available for comment.

According to its constitution, the board has to issue a three-week notice before holding the AGM by September 30. Prior to that, the finance committee gets accounts ratified by the working committee. There was no news of any finance committee meeting till Monday evening. Chances of an AGM without elections can’t be ruled out. “Given that the court has said Yadav is president until the probe is over, seeking status quo is a possibility,” felt a source.

Since the court has not said anything about the AGM, some board members feel this decision lies with the interim president. An experienced BCCI functionary felt the meeting should be held as scheduled. “The court has not said the AGM should be postponed. The interim president is there to perform a duty. He should do that by holding the AGM following the BCCI constitution. If anyone contests for any post, let that go ahead,” he said.

Waiting for direction depending on the court ruling, the BCCI members have just learnt that the impasse continues. Whether they look for solutions at the AGM or any other forum will be known in the next few days. There is no precedent of the AGM being deferred, but elections were pushed back to November following a court order in 2005.