The BCCI's AGM explained
What to expect at the BCCI's annual general meeting in Chennai on September 29
Amol Karhadkar
28-Sep-2013
It will be interesting to see if N Srinivasan requests Jagmohan Dalmiya to continue in his interim role • AFP
Why is the meeting so important?
With the anticipated election for the president's post having been taken out of the equation*, the BCCI's 84th annual general meeting (AGM) is all set to have N Srinivasan extend his term by another year, despite his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan being chargesheeted by Mumbai Police in the IPL spot-fixing scam. It will be interesting if Srinivasan requests the former BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya to continue heading the board's day-to-day affairs till the Supreme Court allows Srinivasan to take charge. The meeting will begin at 11am on Sunday at ITC Park Sheraton.
With the anticipated election for the president's post having been taken out of the equation*, the BCCI's 84th annual general meeting (AGM) is all set to have N Srinivasan extend his term by another year, despite his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan being chargesheeted by Mumbai Police in the IPL spot-fixing scam. It will be interesting if Srinivasan requests the former BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya to continue heading the board's day-to-day affairs till the Supreme Court allows Srinivasan to take charge. The meeting will begin at 11am on Sunday at ITC Park Sheraton.
Who could have challenged Srinivasan?
Anyone who has attended at least two BCCI AGMs and has been a principal office-bearer of the BCCI (president, secretary, treasurer or joint secretary); and has a proposer and seconder from the South Zone could have challenged Srinivasan for the post of president. If two candidates fulfill the requisite criteria, then there will be a ballot vote with the candidate with a simple majority being named the president. However, with Srinivasan emerging as the lone candidate, he is set to be elected unopposed.
Anyone who has attended at least two BCCI AGMs and has been a principal office-bearer of the BCCI (president, secretary, treasurer or joint secretary); and has a proposer and seconder from the South Zone could have challenged Srinivasan for the post of president. If two candidates fulfill the requisite criteria, then there will be a ballot vote with the candidate with a simple majority being named the president. However, with Srinivasan emerging as the lone candidate, he is set to be elected unopposed.
Why could only South Zone boards nominate?
One of the age-old clauses in the BCCI constitution says a president has to be nominated by each of its five zones on a rotational basis. Since it is South Zone's turn from October 2011 to September 2014, Srinivasan could have been safe for three years. But a recent amendment to the constitution last year meant anyone who is not representing any of the affiliated units defined in the zone whose turn it is and still wants to contest has to be proposed and seconded by a unit each from the zone that has to nominate the president.
One of the age-old clauses in the BCCI constitution says a president has to be nominated by each of its five zones on a rotational basis. Since it is South Zone's turn from October 2011 to September 2014, Srinivasan could have been safe for three years. But a recent amendment to the constitution last year meant anyone who is not representing any of the affiliated units defined in the zone whose turn it is and still wants to contest has to be proposed and seconded by a unit each from the zone that has to nominate the president.
What about the other office-bearers?
Ever since Ajay Shirke and Sanjay Jagdale resigned as treasurer and secretary respectively, in protest of the manner in which the spot-fixing scandal was being handled, Ravi Savant (Mumbai Cricket Association) and Sanjay Patel (Baroda CA) have been holding on to the posts. While Patel is set to continue as secretary, Savant is likely to be replaced by Anirudh Chaudhary (Haryana), a Srinivasan loyalist. Anurag Thakur (Himachal Pradesh) has submitted the application for the joint secretary's post. As for vice-president's post, barring Chitrak Mitra from the East and Shivlal Yadav from the South Zone, all other zones have decided to change their candidates.
Ever since Ajay Shirke and Sanjay Jagdale resigned as treasurer and secretary respectively, in protest of the manner in which the spot-fixing scandal was being handled, Ravi Savant (Mumbai Cricket Association) and Sanjay Patel (Baroda CA) have been holding on to the posts. While Patel is set to continue as secretary, Savant is likely to be replaced by Anirudh Chaudhary (Haryana), a Srinivasan loyalist. Anurag Thakur (Himachal Pradesh) has submitted the application for the joint secretary's post. As for vice-president's post, barring Chitrak Mitra from the East and Shivlal Yadav from the South Zone, all other zones have decided to change their candidates.
Any other major appointments expected?
Since the AGM also appoints all the BCCI committees, including the IPL governing council, marketing committee, finance committee and junior and senior selection committees, a reshuffle is on the cards. G Gangaraju, from Andhra Cricket Association, is likely to be rewarded for showing allegiance to Srinivasan with a major post. While Ranjib Biswal is set to continue as the National Cricket Academy (NCA) board chairman, don't be surprised if a new NCA director - a post that has been vacant for a year - is announced.
Since the AGM also appoints all the BCCI committees, including the IPL governing council, marketing committee, finance committee and junior and senior selection committees, a reshuffle is on the cards. G Gangaraju, from Andhra Cricket Association, is likely to be rewarded for showing allegiance to Srinivasan with a major post. While Ranjib Biswal is set to continue as the National Cricket Academy (NCA) board chairman, don't be surprised if a new NCA director - a post that has been vacant for a year - is announced.
Should we expect any changes to the selection committee?
The senior selection committee, comprising chairman Sandeep Patil (West), Saba Karim (East), Roger Binny (South), Vikram Rathour (North) and Rajinder Singh Hans (Central) is set to be unchanged. As for the junior selection committee, headed by Mumbai's Chandrakant Pandit, Kerala's K Jayaraman is set to be replaced with a member from Andhra Cricket Association since the South Zone units usually employ a rotational policy while nominating candidates for the junior selection panel.
The senior selection committee, comprising chairman Sandeep Patil (West), Saba Karim (East), Roger Binny (South), Vikram Rathour (North) and Rajinder Singh Hans (Central) is set to be unchanged. As for the junior selection committee, headed by Mumbai's Chandrakant Pandit, Kerala's K Jayaraman is set to be replaced with a member from Andhra Cricket Association since the South Zone units usually employ a rotational policy while nominating candidates for the junior selection panel.
What about the IPL governing council?
Ever since Rajiv Shukla resigned as IPL chairman following the corruption scandal, the post has been vacant. Despite requests from the BCCI top brass, Shukla has declined to take back his position. While Srinivasan's close aides have been trying to pursue a South Zone ally, many members feel a politician should be heading the IPL, especially to sort out security issues with the IPL 2014 likely to clash with the general elections.
Ever since Rajiv Shukla resigned as IPL chairman following the corruption scandal, the post has been vacant. Despite requests from the BCCI top brass, Shukla has declined to take back his position. While Srinivasan's close aides have been trying to pursue a South Zone ally, many members feel a politician should be heading the IPL, especially to sort out security issues with the IPL 2014 likely to clash with the general elections.
What are the other important decisions to be made at the AGM?
The AGM, will in all likelihood, also spell out a roadmap for all the affiliated units to deal with their respective state governments about the double taxation policy adopted by the government. India's tour to South Africa is likely to be discussed, so are the venues for the two home Tests against West Indies starting November. Besides, any AGM usually allows members to raise all sorts of questions, with the permission of the chair.
The AGM, will in all likelihood, also spell out a roadmap for all the affiliated units to deal with their respective state governments about the double taxation policy adopted by the government. India's tour to South Africa is likely to be discussed, so are the venues for the two home Tests against West Indies starting November. Besides, any AGM usually allows members to raise all sorts of questions, with the permission of the chair.
* - 1000 GMT, September 28, 2013 - Story updated with news of Srinivasan being the only candidate for the president's post
Amol Karhadkar is a correspondent at ESPNcricinfo