Dalmiya is the new BCCI President, Lele cast away

Proceedings on the first day of the 72nd Annual General Meeting of the Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI), here in Chennai on Saturday, saw Jagmohan Dalmiya emerge as a winner at the expense of the incumbent President AC Muthiah. In a keenly contested election for the premier post at the BCCI, the Kolkata based businessman got the better of Muthiah by 17 votes to 13. In the 1990s, Dalmiya was the secretary of BCCI and went on to become the President of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"I have been the secretary of the board before and have also been the President of the ICC. I will work for the development of the game to the best of my ability."

After all the behind the scenes drama over the last few days, Dalmiya's victory over a confident Muthiah was another sensational development. The politics were intense and the stakes high, as the Board game was played out today.

The other big wicket to fall was that of Jaywant Lele, who has been a permanent fixture as the Board's secretary in recent times. In a closely contested battle, Niranjan Shah from Saurashtra and Lele received 15 votes each in their favour. With Goa having been disqualified from voting on the opinion of board legal advisor Nalini Chidambaram, there were only 30 votes at stake, 29 of the affiliated units and one of the President. Lele who has previously spoken on the record about his allegiance to Dalmiya, was shown the door; Muthiah casting the Presidential vote in favour of Shah.

Shah, who has made little secret of his support for Muthiah, was visibly disappointed and was quick to suggest that these things happen in a democratic election. He cast aside any apprehensions about the 'politics' and added that the new President will be extended his full support. Shah also said that winning and losing will all be forgotten and that all parties will work for the development of the game in India.

Later talking to the media, an elated Dalmiya said that he would continue with all the good work the outgoing President had been doing over the last two years. Dalmiya also suggested that the services of Muthiah would come in handy for the Board.

"I have been the secretary of the board before and have also been the President of the ICC. I will work for the development of the game to the best of my ability."

Muthiah spoke to the media in detail and said that no analysis is required of elections. He was of the opinion that winning and losing is a part of the game. He did not find much difference between the elections and the game of cricket.

"I came in with a lot of confidence and I am going out with a lot of confidence," he said.

The Chennai-based businessman was happy about his achievements as the Board President. He added that the fight against corruption in the game would go on, even though there has been a change among the Board's officials. Muthiah also pledged full support to the new President and the administration.

The other new officials elected today were Jyoti Bajpai, who becomes the joint secretary, and Kishore Rungta as treasurer. The five currently serving Vice-Presidents, meanwhile, will each continue to remain in their positions. For a change, that was a unanimous decision on a day of high political activity.