Dalmiya's move to become chief patron in jeopardy

Jagmohan Dalmiya: finding it hard to be a patron © Getty Images

Jagmohan Dalmiya's attempt to seal a lifelong role for himself in the Indian cricket board, as a kingmaker, is in jeopardy. Dalmiya was widely tipped to be voted chief patron of the BCCI later this year, when his final term as president expired. But the Bhopal High Court, moving on a petition filed by Jogesh Khattar, a member of the Bhopal Cricket Association, has instructed the BCCI not to do anything contrary to its rules when they next meet.

According to the UNI, a hearing of the case has been scheduled on September 13. If there is some substance to it, and it is not mere political posturing, then Dalmiya could find himself without an official position in the board, as he is constitutionally barred from standing for president again. He could, of course, ensure the election of one of his stooges, but this is no guarantee of remaining the main power centre within the board. He had adopted just this ploy when he had gone off to head the ICC, helping AC Muthiah win an election as the BCCI's president. Muthiah soon turned against his mentor, though he was defeated by Dalmiya on his return to BCCI politics.

Dalmiya is already head of the Asian Cricket Council, and he is likely to continue holding the strings of the game in the subcontinent for quite a while yet.