The movers and shakers
Here's a look at the men who make the news
Anand Vasu in Kolkata
28-Nov-2005
 |
|
To get a sense of how big the forthcoming BCCI elections are you only had to look at the strength of the press corps at the lobby of the Taj Bengal hotel in Kolkata the day before the election. It would be safe to say there were more television cameras from the news channels and reporters from newspapers there, than at the Wankhede stadium, where India were playing the final ODI against South Africa. But the media merely reports the news. Here's a look at the men who make the news:
Jagmohan Dalmiya
It matters little that he is now merely the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal. The fact that he does not hold high office in the Board of Control for Cricket in India does not preclude him from being the most influential player when the elections come around. A shrewd administrator and wheeler-dealer, Dalmiya has time and again beaten the odds, and the opposition, when it comes to garnering votes and winning elections. He's right behind Ranbir Singh Mahendra.
Sharad Pawar
Federal agriculture minister and president of the Nationalist Congress Party, Pawar has a reputation of being a wily politician and a heavyweight to match up against. Tasted bitter defeat in last year's elections, and the very fact that he has stepped into the fray again this year means he is virtually sure he has enough votes (out of 30) to emerge victorious. Although inexperienced in matters cricketing, Pawar has earned respect in Mumbai circles for the manner in which he has ironed out disputes that dogged the Mumbai Cricket Association, and opened doors for various projects in and around the city.
Ranbir Singh Mahendra
The incumbent president, who perhaps is growing weary of being referred to merely as Dalmiya's front man. Son of Bansi Lal, former chief minister of Haryana, Mahendra has been known to hold strong views on a variety of matters. From all reports he would like to use his second term in office - if he gets one - to leave his mark on Indian cricket, and be remembered as more than a "rubber-stamp" president.
Inderjit Singh Bindra
Once a close confidante of Dalmiya, now a bitter foe and rival. He has waited long for a chance to overthrow Dalmiya and get back in the thick of Indian cricket administration. He built the best cricket facility in India - the Punjab Cricket Association ground at Mohali - in record time, and has impressive credentials as an administrator. Has worked behind the scenes for some time now trying to whip up unity among the anti-Dalmiya cricket associations.
Raj Singh Dungarpur
An evergreen figure in Indian cricket at the Cricket Club of India, Mumbai, Dungarpur has been more outspoken in his criticism and opposition of Dalmiya than anyone else. For a few years now he has been predicting - perhaps more out of hope than conviction - that Dalmiya's days were numbered and that Indian cricket would be back in better hands. His tendency to make sweeping statements and proclamations make him a favourite with the electronic media, but have not endeared him overly to the people who matter in cricket.
Lalit Modi
One of the new breed of young (comparitively) administrators, Modi has overthrown the ruling Rungta family that ran the Rajasthan Cricket Association like a family business, and made a name for himself as a highly efficient if occasionally cocky administrator. His open defiance of all things Dalmiya has won him many friends, not least Bindra. Modi is president of the RCA, and also vice-president of the Punjab Cricket Association.
Anand Vasu is assistant editor of Cricinfo