JOIN US Embattled Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president N Srinivasan on Sunday ruled out resigning from the top job even as he promised a fair investigation into the spot-fixing scandal.
He maintained that he had done “nothing wrong.” At a hurriedly organised press conference, he also launched a broadside at the media for “motivated attacks” aimed at him.
Srinivasan said he had the full backing of all BCCI members. He was referring to media reports that a section of the BCCI was plotting his ouster following the arrest of his son-in-law and top Chennai Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan.
The BCCI supremo also brushed aside questions of conflicting interests as he announced a three-member committee that would probe into the affairs of Meiyappan who was suspended from any involvement with the sport earlier in the day.
“The last few days have been difficult for the BCCI and for me as the president. However, I sit here as the president of the BCCI and put aside all personal feelings. I can assure you that I will not shirk from my duty, however difficult it may be,” said Srinivasan through a prepared statement.
“I have not been asked by anybody to resign. To the contrary, my support is complete and I refuse to yield to unfair and motivated attacks. I intend to continue my duties as the president of the BCCI,” Srinivasan asserted.
While denying any rift within the BCCI, Srinivasan said: “An illustration of the type of news would be that there is going to be a revolt within the BCCI. “I wish to assure the cricketing world that this is completely untrue and there is unity within the BCCI, and my support is complete.”
Asked about Meiyappan’s role in CSK franchise, Srinivasan opted to leave the task to the commission. Meiyappan has been a constant presence in IPL auctions and matches over the last six seasons, and he has been introduced many times in the past as team principal and the owner.
But Srinivasan opened a bit more when he was repeatedly asked about Meiyappan’s involvement with CSK. “He did not have any role at all (in CSK). In fact, he never visited the office of the CSK. But he would go, because he was an enthusiastic. Let the commission find that out (about Meiyappan’s role).
The BCCI is very concerned by the allegations that have been made against the IPL, whether those relate to betting or spot fixing. As I have said on a number of occasions, the BCCI will act swiftly and sternly if the allegations are proven,” he said. He declared that a three-member committee would probe spot-fixing in IPL 6, including the role of Meiyappan who is in the custody of Mumbai police for his alleged involvement in betting.
Srinivasan stressed that he would not have any role in this commission – be in its appointment or in its functioning.
“The disciplinary procedure under the operational rules shall be initiated and the commission, including at least one member who is entirely independent of the BCCI, will be formed to adjudicate whether Meiyappan is in breach of operational rules that require all persons subject to the operational rules not to act in any way which would have an adverse effect on the image or the reputation of the BCCI or the IPL which would otherwise bring the entity into disrepute. This management of the other franchise, Rajasthan Royals, will also be subject to the same procedure. I am not part of this commission and I will not play any role in its appointment, deliberations or decisions,” he said.
The two BCCI members of the commission will be selected from the five-man IPL technical committee comprising Ravi Shastri, Ajay Shirke, Sanjay Jagdale, Rajiv Shukla and Arun Jaitley. There will also be an independent member in the commission.