Contrary to BCCI president N Srinivasan’s claim that he has the full backing of the board, a number of heavyweights disapproved his stand. Not just the prominent ones, some state associations have also joined the chorus, saying that they want Srinivasan to stay away until the probe is over.
What is most striking is, all these BCCI functionaries have chosen Wednesday to break their silence, a day after Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association president and BCCI finance committee chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia demanded Srinivasan’s removal.
Speaking in Mumbai, former BCCI president Sharad Pawar endorsed Shashank Manohar’s view that all games in IPL 6 should be investigated. Manohar, a former BCCI president himself, had demanded a CBI inquiry. Till now, the BCCI has not asked for an inquiry by a government agency, but appointed an inquiry commission of its own.
“There should be a detailed investigation, all games should be looked at. If the BCCI gives in writing to the Home Ministry and requests an investigation, the government can investigate all the matches. They can interrogate anybody. They have legal sanction,” Pawar said.
“If the board does not accept it and says its own anti-corruption (body) will do the job, I feel the board is not serious in dealing with the wrongdoings. If I had been president, I would not have allowed these things to happen,” added Pawar, who is likely to take over as president of the Mumbai Cricket Association in July.
The Mumbai Cricket Association president Ravi Savant said he would have stepped down if he were in Srinivasan's place.
In New Delhi, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said he wanted Srinivasan to stay away from his post as long as the probe was not complete, adding that he had the support of Arun Jaitley, another vice-president. Two vice-presidents making their stand public means they are taking a serious note of the issue.
BCCI treasurer and president of Maharashtra Cricket Association, Ajay Shirke also indicated that Srinivasan should understand the gravity of the situation and relinquish his post pending inquiry. “I am a junior member of the board. Srinivasan is higher in stature. I don’t think I need to advise him. The question is about the credibility of the board,” said Shirke.
The vice-president of Delhi and Districts Cricket Association, Chetan Chauhan asked for Srinivasan’s removal. “Srinivasan should step down. Once the inquiry is complete he can come back,” said the former India opener.
Interestingly, one of the associations from south zone, Hyderabad said Srinivasan should step down. “When you take the public mandate it clearly shows Srinivasan needs to step down. It is important that he puts his conscience in the right place,” said HCA president G Vinod.
The Andhra Cricket Association has also distanced itself from Srinivasan, saying it would rather take a collective decision and wait till its executive committee meeting on June 2. Former BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya refused to comment. So many board members voicing their opinion indicates a hardening of stand among some of the key members of the board.
Srinivasan has shown defiance, saying he has full support of the board.