New Delhi: Former cricket administrators on Thursday hailed the Supreme Court verdict of barring N Srinivasan from contesting any BCCI election on grounds of conflict of interest, saying that it will end malpractices while bringing transparency in the running of the game in the country.
I am happy Srinivasan is out: Sharad Pawar
Former BCCI and ICC chief Sharad Pawar said the SC decision will bring to an end to all the unwanted things that have been happening in Indian cricket for some time.
“I am happy Srinivasan is out. Many things have been happening in cricket for so long and this verdict will help in ending them. The need of the hour is to bring a change in cricket set-up,” he said.
Pawar, however, ruled himself out of taking up responsibility to lead the Board.
“Whether me or (another former BCCI president) Shashank Manohar are not personally interested but interested in helping the administrative set up of cricket,” added Pawar, also a former Union Minister.
‘Srinivasan should quit as ICC chief too’
Another former BCCI chief AC Muthiah asked Srinivasan to quit as ICC President also.
“He (Srinivasan) has to come out of ICC. How can he be there in ICC when he is not wanted in his own country?” asked Muthiah who had filed cases on conflict of interest in the BCCI in the courts.
“It’s a landmark judgment. I find I have been vindicated for fighting the conflict of interest case for the last six years in Madras High Court and Supreme Court. This decision by the Supreme Court will bring in structural changes in the BCCI which would definitely result in the improvement of the gentleman’s game,” he added.
Srini’s future ‘is closed’
Petitioner in the case and Cricket Association of Bihar President Aditya Verma said that Srinivasan’s future “is closed”.
“Immediate future of Srinivasan is now closed because SC gave directions to BCCI to conduct elections within six weeks and Srinivasan is not eligible to contest due to conflict of interest,” he said.
Asked about the Supreme Court giving a clean chit regarding the charge of cover up against Srinivasan, Verma said, “But he has been held guilty of trying to protect his son-in-law (Gurunath Meiyappan) and (Rajasthan Royals co-owner) Raj Kundra.”
Former treasurer Ajay Shirke, who quit from the BCCI post in the wake of the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal said, “The judgment will help in the running of the Board in a transparent and fair manner in future. But it is difficult to predict what Srinivasan will do.”
Former BCCI and current CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya was evasive.
“Let me read the detailed judgment then I would react. Maybe, after two days,” Dalmiya said. (PTI)
