Jagmohan Dalmiya frontrunner to replace N Srinivasan as BCCI president

NEW DELHI: After a series of adverse observations by the Supreme Court, Board of Control for Cricket in India members have started to look for an alternative to president-in-exile N Srinivasan as they feel his position may become untenable. The name likely to be proposed for BCCI president is that of Cricket Association of Bengal chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, who till recently was known to be backing Srinivasan, seeing it’s east zone’s turn to nominate a president, said a senior BCCI member. “Dalmiya might return for some peace in BCCI,” said the member, not wishing to be named.

Discussions around finding an alternative have already begun and it is likely some senior BCCI members, including finance minister Arun Jaitley, could soon try to convince Srinivasan to step aside while continuing as chairman of International Cricket Council. “This will also keep away any further talk about conflict of interest,” said another member.

Dalmiya, also a former BCCI president, declined comment. The BCCI annual general meeting is scheduled for December 17.

“Many of us see him (Srinivasan) as a liability today. Even after such observations by Supreme Court, if we continue to back him, it will reflect badly on us,” he said.

The first BCCI member quoted above said political acceptance matters most. “BJP has close to 11 of the total 31 votes and will need another five to six to cross the line. If that happens, BJP will have the say and people like Sharad Pawar or Shashank Manohar might not get a chance,” the member said.