Why Srinivasan and Jaitley preferred Dalmiya as BCCI chief

While it may have seemed that N Srinivasan was at risk of losing his post when he walked into the BCCI emergency meeting, the cricket board chief not only managed to rally support but also quash all opposition to hold onto the post through negotiations behind closed doors.

Srinivasan reportedly started his day by meeting many of the state board members, especially Dalmiya, for an extended period, and once the meeting began the embattled BCCI chief said that he was being hounded by the media and his resignation would set a bad precedent. According to the Telegraph , Srinivasan said that he was more in the news than the Prime Minister.

He also claimed that the resignations of BCCI secretary and treasurer, Sanjay Jagdale and Ajay Shirke, were unacceptable and said that his relation with Shirke wouldn’t be affected by the acrimony in the BCCI, the Times of India reported.

Jaitley, who spoke after Srinivasan, sought that the beleaguered BCCI chief step aside till the probe into the spot fixing and illegal betting were completed, especially the role of Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan. Cleared to return after the probe was completed, Srinivasan agreed to step aside despite the fact that the BCCI constitution reportedly doesn’t allow for the existence of an interim president.

However, when it came to choosing a successor, while Jaitley sidestepped the demand to take over the reins himself due to a demanding political career and recommended former president Shashank Manohar and Jagmohan Dalmiya, Srinivasan shot down the former’s name.

While Srinivasan argued that Manohar was not a member of the board and therefore ineligible, the root of the cause is said to be the opposition to giving charge of the cricket board to Manohar, who is said to be close to former BCCI chief Sharad Pawar.

Jaitley and other board members were opposed to the NCP chief having a hold in the BCCI again and instead preferred to support the elevation of Dalmiya.

And while Punjab Cricket Association’s IS Bindra may have been the lone voice of dissent in the meeting, even his opposition wasn’t strong enough to propel any of the other state board members to oppose Srinivasan. However, the Telegraph reports that even Bindra may only have raised procedural doubts and did not openly seek Srinivasan’s departure.

And other board members, who may have openly voiced dissent a day before the emergency meet did little beyond watch the proceedings and support the appointment of Dalmiya as the interim president.