With the chorus demanding BCCI supremo N Srinivasan’s resignation getting louder, a board member is now threatening to resign. Dejected by the method the BCCI has dealt the spot-fixing probe, none other than BCCI treasurer and Maharashtra Cricket Association president Ajay Shirke is reportedly threatening to resign if the status quo regarding the probe remains.
Speaking to Cricinfo, he said, “I will wait and see for the time being. If the board continues to ignore what I consider is primary responsibility, I will find it difficult for myself to be associated with it. It is an evolving situation, so I will wait and see,” said Shirke, who is the first functionary who has toed such a line.
This is surprising in the sense that until Wednesday, he had been backing Srinivasan, though by evening he joined the fence-sitters’ clique. Also, he has been among the frontrunners to head the internal probe committee. What transpired between these, only Shirke can explain, though he reiterates that he is unhappy with the functioning of the board.
Meanwhile, Goa and Assam cricket associations too have joined the clamour for his ouster joining the chorus for his ouster. “He has to resign, there is no other option. How can you continue when your son-in-law is involved? Since he is involved with CSK, it is just not possible to have an impartial probe till he resigns. For the sake of BCCI’s credibility, in my personal opinion, he should resign till the probe is on. If it is declared that he did nothing wrong and he is proved innocent than he can come back as BCCI President. But at least till the probe is complete, he should step down.” said Goa Cricket Association vice-President Shekhar Salkar.
He was seconded by Assam Cricket Association president Gautam Roy, who said, “In the interest of fairness, he should step aside till the investigation is on. That is my personal opinion.” Thus, Srinivasan’s claim that the Board is firmly behind him seems misplaced.
The politicians, too, are pushing for his exit.
“The spot fixing scandal has sullied the name of cricket and hurt the feeling of people who are fondly attached to the game. An inquiry has been ordered into the scandal and I am confident that it will hold thorough probe to regain confidence of people towards lovely game of cricket,” said Sachin Pilot, the Corporate Affairs minister.