PCA chief Bindra says will go to court over sham BCCI meeting

Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president I. S. Bindra said he would go to court in protest over the outcome and results of the emergency working committee meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held at a hotel here on Sunday.

Accusing BCCI vice president Arun Jaitley of wrongdoing, he said: "Most of the suggestions came from Mr. Jaitley, including the appointment of Mr. (Jagmohan) Dalmiya."

He said the BCCI's decision to allow incumbent president N. Srinivasan to step aside and not resign from his post, and allow Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Jagmohan Dalmiya to take charge of the Indian cricket board's day-to-day affairs as interim working president for a month, amounted to taking the cricket loving public of India for a ride.

"Srinivasan is not resigning. He is just stepping aside for one month. This is taking the public for a ride. We needed something more than this. I suggested, let him step aside until September, but he said he is not going to resign," said Bindra.

In an official statement released by the BCCI Joint Secretary Anurag Thakur said: "Mr. N. Srinivasan announced that he will not discharge his duties as the President of the Board till such time that the probe is completed. Till such time, Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya will conduct the day-to-day affairs of the Board."

The statement also urged former BCCI treasurer Ajay Shirke and former honorary secretary Sanjay Jagdale to withdraw their resignations and resume their previous responsibilities.

"I have no problem with Mr. Dalmiya coming in, he is an experienced administrator, but I don't like the way he has been brought in," Bindra also said.

Jagdale when asked to comment on Srinivasan stepping aside and not resigning: "How can I ask for anyone's resignation when I have resigned myself? There is no question of my being comfortable with this. I am not a part of the board any more."

Staying firm on his stand to resign, Jagdale said: "Srinivasan made a request for me to come back. All the members did. I thanked them, but I cannot continue."

Earlier, Jagdale and Shirke, who had resigned from their respective posts on May 31, also attended the Chennai meeting, while some other members, including Arun Jaitely participated through video conference.

The meeting was attended by over 14 members.