MAY 28- It was a combination of several factors; from lack of spine to lack of numbers, from fear of losing financial gains to missing out on position of authority that prevented the board members to put their thoughts into action over the Srinivasan ouster issue.
Contrary to what N. Srinivasan claimed at the media briefing on Sunday, the BCCI wasnât unanimous on the decision to let him continue but it was the lack of a big leader to lead the revolt and collect a crowd of fence-sitters in the BCCI. Sensing a move to discuss the probable ouster of Srinivasan, several board officials skipped the lavish IPL dinner bash hosted by Jagmohan Dalmiya and instead decided to adopt a wait and watch policy on the outcome.
According to sources, the first hurdle was in arranging 10 signatories who could requisition an emergency meeting to discuss Srinivasanâs suspension, and then was the bigger task of getting per cent majority to overthrow him.
A few minutes into the informal meeting at the gathering, attended by 17 state unit members, it was clear that everyone wanted Srinivasan to resign but none was ready to bell the cat.
Dalmiya, who was prodded by several members to lead the jury against Srinivasan, politely declined citing ill-health.
According to sources, it was left to Arun Jaitley and Rajeev Shukla to persuade Srinivasan to resign on moral grounds.
After frantic discussions, Srinivasan reportedly agreed to resign only if every BCCI member also resigned, particularly both Jaitley and Shukla, since they had the same moral grounds as chairman and member of governing council to quit. As per sources, an agitated Srinivasan asked to order fresh elections â a move not many in the board were comfortable with.
Another area of concern was the choice of alternate candidate if Srinivasan resigns; while Shivlal Yadav was the candidate to take over as per BCCI constitution, none was eager to project him in this hour of crisis.
A Mumbai Police team reached Chennai’s Radisson Blu hotel to issue summons to hotelier Vikram Aggarwal, who was crucial link between Vindoo and Meiyappan.
According to sources, Jaitley was also reluctant himself to take over keeping in mind the credibility of the IPL and mess around it and the general elections around the corner.
If the BCCI decides on asking Shashank Manohar, who is not currently attached with the functioning, to step in, then it will put a negative impact on both Shukla and Jaitleyâs abilities to lead the board in the future.
