N. Srinivasan, the embattled BCCI president who has been in self-exile from day-to-day functioning of the cricket board, has declared his intention to stand for re-election for a third and last year. To stand is his right as he has the support of almost all the associations of the South Zone whose turn it still is to propose and second a candidate for presidency.
There has been media speculation over whether Mr Sharad Pawar or Mr Shashank Manohar, both former BCCI presidents from Mumbai and West Zone, would be challenging Mr Srinivasan in the election to be held on the floor of the house at the BCCI’s annual general meeting scheduled to be held in Chennai on September 29.
The catch for any intending contestant is that he needs the support of two South Zone associations to be eligible to challenge the incumbent who is seeking reelection. The indications are that the South Zone associations are behind Mr Srinivasan and by standing together and not letting anyone else contest for the post they can ensure another year for the president.
It is up to the Supreme Court to rule in the matter since the issue of the Mumbai police investigation into the IPL betting scandal is up before it for hearing. “Only the court can stop Mr Srinivasan from continuing as president for another year,” said a source who is very familiar with BCCI matters. The election issue is far from settled but Mr Srinivasan currently holds all the aces, hence his emphatic “I am going to stand” statement on Thursday in Mumbai after the marketing committee meeting.