JOIN USHe had bailed out N Srinivasan at his most critical juncture but former ICC and BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya has been left in the lurch if the various sub-committees formed at today's BCCI's Annual General Meeting is any indication.
The veteran administrator has been re-named as the chairman of the North East Development Committee considered to be one of the least active sub-committees.
In fact three of Dalmiya's junior colleagues in Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) were given better committees than the former BCCI top boss.
CAB joint secretaries Subir Ganguly and Sujan Mukherjee were inducted into the all-powerful IPL governing council and NCA sub-committees respectively. Treasurer Biswarup Dey has been elevated from NCA sub-committee to finance committee under Gokaraju Gangaraju of Andhra CA.
"Ideally, Mr Dalmiya shouldn't have accepted the post of North East development committee chief. But refusing Srinivasan is rubbing him the wrong way and the consequences wouldn't be that great for Bengal cricket. But no doubt this has been humiliating for him (Dalmiya) and he knows that well," a senior BCCI official told PTI today.
While Dalmiya's name was making rounds as the chairman of the IPL governing council last night, the appointment of Ranjib Biswal, despite vehement opposition from CAB, was an example that the shrewd Kolkatan has not gained much ground despite playing the role of troubleshooter for the Tamil Nadu strongman.
Dalmiya was made the interim chief of the BCCI when Srinivasan decided to step aside in the wake of IPL-6 spot-fixing scandal and the subsequent arrest of his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, who has been chargesheeted by Mumbai Police for illegal betting.
However, there is no denying the fact that Bengal no longer holds the same influence among the eastern units and the astute businessman in Srinivasan cashed in on that by naming Biswal the chief of the IPL governing council. @Body:
Biswal is a trusted lieutenant of Srinivasan having performed the duties as manager of the Indian team for the longest period of time. He is a popular figure among the Indian cricketers for his friendly nature.
With Odisha and Jharkhand (Amitabh Chaudhary became marketing committee head) getting plum posts, it is clear that Srinivasan has managed to breach eastern citadel.
"Mr Srinivasan is mulling on having an extended run beyond 2013-14 and the support of Odisha and Jharkhand will be very important in that context. With Tripura also by Srinivasan's side, it's only Assam Cricket Association that is by Dalmiya's side," the source informed.
Dalmiya still has two votes (CAB and National Cricket Club) and it will be interesting to see what will be his course of action over the next few months.