Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president N Srinivasan has made a smart move by deciding to back NCP supremo Sharad Pawar for the presidential post.
After the death of former BCCI and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Chief Jagmohan Dalmiya last week, the race for BCCI’s top post lies vacant. In the current situation, two camps exist with the Anurag Thakur faction backing current Indian Premier League chief Rajeev Shukla. The other is that of Sharad Pawar, who is likely to find more support by joining hands with N Srinivasan.
Srinivasan’s meeting with Sharad Pawar in Nagpur on Wednesday presents a scenario where the former is desperate to stay in the Indian cricket politics. It could also be a perfect scenario for Srini to have his influence and control in the matters of BCCI if Pawar is elected unanimously.
The selection of Sourav Ganguly as interim president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has given a boost to the Anurag Thakur camp and that was discussed in N Srinivasan’s meeting in Bangalore.
Also, another reason for Srini to back Pawar is to stay on as the chairman of the International Cricket Council till June 2016, and therefore have a say in the affairs in the functioning of the BCCI.
It is also being said that the deal will also benefit Sharad Pawar and several rounds of meetings are expected to be held between the two factions in the coming days to decide on the candidate to replace Dalmiya.
Further report in the Times of India mentioned an official close to Srini stating that, they do not want the BJP to take complete control of cricketing affairs.
If Pawar does come to the helm, Srini’s love affair with BCCI will continue although from behind the scenes. Srini is also the head of the TNCA.
Earlier on Thursday, Pawar admitted that Srinivasan met him in Nagpur.
“We could not meet in Kolkata during Jagmohan Dalmiya’s funeral as I left Kolkata early and he arrived a little late. So he decided to meet me in Nagpur during my visit.
“Srinivasan felt that the present atmosphere at the BCCI was not good and it (an election) will create more bitterness and therefore it would be in the interest of the BCCI not to hold a contest,” Pawar said.
The next few days will see both factions keeping a close eye on each other as Shukla versus Pawar battle will emerge, with Srini hoping his association continues with the cricket body.
