People who know BCCI politics like the back of their hand feel that Sharad Pawar’s attempt to become BCCI president, probably at the 85th AGM in Chennai on March 2 and again at a special general meeting in Mumbai on October 5, may have stalled because of his proximity to Lalit Modi.
Modi was banned for life by the BCCI on the basis of a recommendation by its Disciplinary Committee. Arun Jaitley, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Chirayu Amin were part of the Disciplinary Committee that had found Modi guilty of committing acts of serious misconduct and indiscipline, all related to the Indian Premier League.
BCCI members involved with the election process at the 85th AGM in Chennai believe that Jagmohan Dalmiya’s election as BCCI president unopposed could not have happened without the tacit backing of Jaitley, who was also opposed to Pawar’s return to helm the BCCI.
Pawar had camped himself in Chennai for two days to actively campaign against Sanjay Patel, the secretary candidate and other candidates fielded by the Srinivasan group. The Srinivasan camp believes that Dalmiya voted for Anurag Thakur and not Patel.
Then, following the vacancy caused by Dalmiya’s death, Pawar met Srinivasan at Nagpur on September 24 and the cricketing world was suddenly abuzz with the news that the former BCCI and ICC president from Mumbai would throw his hat into the ring for the post of BCCI president.
It was the meeting between Pawar and Srinivasan that set off hectic parleys the next day in New Delhi between Jaitley, Manohar and a handful of senior functionaries of the Board. “No way would Jaitley have allowed Pawar to return as BCCI president because of his proximity to Lalit Modi. Jaitley was part of the Disciplinary Committee that recommended a life ban on Lalit Modi,” said a Board insider.
Recently Pawar made statements in favour of Modi after the latter was reinstated as president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association. “The credit for IPL’s success should go to Lalit Modi. He shouldn’t be harassed by BCCI officials who are not at helm today. I am worried that people can victimise Modi. During his tenure, he has made some enemies,” Pawar had told a television channel.
Pawar’s statement may not have gone down well with many Board members, but on his part Modi tweeted: “I am thankful to #sharadpawar for his support and kind words on my reelection as President of #RCA - Rajasthan Cricket Association.”
