All the president’s men win: BCCI polls

The growing influence of Jagmohan Dalmiya on Indian cricket was evident from the uncontested BCCI elections at Kolkata. As all the President...

The growing influence of Jagmohan Dalmiya on Indian cricket was evident from the uncontested BCCI elections at Kolkata. As all the President’s men won without a fight at the AGM in Kolkata today, Dalmiya started his third and final term at the helm.

While there was no question of Dalmiya encountering any individual opposition, there some possibility of secretary SK Nair being challenged by former secretary Niranjan Shah again. Last year Nair and Shah had fought a close battle with the former winning the race narrowly. Shah not contesting this time was an indication of the changing equations in the BCCI and also the absence of a second power centre.

As for the other posts it was just a case of musical chairs within the house. Prof Ratnakar Shetty replaced Jyoti Bajpai as the joint secretary who in turn took over as treasure from Kishore Rungta. After the election, Shetty said, ‘‘I’m happy that I have been given charge as joint secretary but more so because there was no elections.’’

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Asked about the Mumbai lobby’s lack of representation in the new body, he said ‘‘there is nothing like the Mumbai lobby.’’ With veteran politician Sharad Pawar heading the Mumbai Cricket Association, Shetty’s statement was a bit puzzling. Sources say that Pawar and co are bidding their time and waiting for the right moment to strike. Maybe not challenging Dalmiya right now and waiting for his term to end was a better idea.

Arbitration threat again

The BCCI threatened the ICC Development International to take them to arbitration if the $6.5 million guarantee money was withheld by it was not released by November 1. Once again the Board warned IDI that it would appoint appropriate agencies to investigate the claims made by Global Cricket Corporation and World Sports Nimbus.

Contract talks

BCCI today formally approved the implementation of the contract system and graded payment for international cricketers. The general body has authorised Dalmiya to work out the amount to be paid to the players.