His public image might have taken a strong beating but a defiant N. Srinivasan on Thursday made it clear that he will seek re-election as president of the BCCI at the annual general meeting in Chennai on September 29. Having completed two years at the helm, Srinivasan is hoping to get re-elected for another year as per the Board’s provision.
Despite handing over the reigns to Jagmohan Dalmiya, Srinivasan had chaired the IPL disciplinary committee in New Delhi and also headed the marketing committee meeting here on Thursday. “I am going to stand (for re-election as president). The press is giving the numbers,” he said after a meeting at the BCCI Centre here.
Registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, the BCCI constitution only bars a convicted member from discharging his honorary duties and technically Srinivasan can contest for the post. It is learnt that there are members who have expressed their displeasure as the board has been receiving a lot of flak of late, but the voices of dissent as of now are not strong enough.
A section of the board wants Shashank Manohar to challenge Srinivasan. Known for his no-nonsense attitude, Manohar, a prominent lawyer from Nagpur was even approached to be the interim BCCI chief but he declined the offer. “Manohar is a good option but practically, at this stage, he does not have the support to oust Srinivasan. He will need to cover a lot of ground to have a shot at the top post,” said a top BCCI official.
There were reports of Andhra CA and Goa not happy with Srinivasan but the board chief still enjoys majority support from south zone, who as per board’s regulation can propose and second the name of the member for the third term. The third name in the fray is Sharad Pawar, former Board president and politician. Pawar had expressed an interest in contesting MCA elections but hasn’t revealed his card ever since the biennial elections were pushed to October 18.