Dalmiya returns as BCCI chief unopposed

Most of the other positions were won by N Srinivasan faction though

Former chief of Board for Control of Cricket in India  Jagmohan Dalmiya has made a comeback to the sporting body as president. He was elected unanimously to the top post on Monday at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Board here.

In an election where majority of the positions were won by people backed by former president of the cricket body N Srinivasan, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anurag Thakur, who reportedly has the backing of former Union minister and former International Cricket Council president Sharad Pawar, has been made the secretary.

A new team of office bearers and vice-presidents also were elected in the 85th AGM.

The main election competition was between candidates said to be backed by Srinivasan and ones backed by Pawar.

While Dalmiya was elected unopposed, there was stiff competition to the post of secretary, between the former secretary Sanjay Patel, who is said to be Srinivasan’s man, and Anurag Thakur. The latter was won by one vote, according to reports.

Sharad Pawar leaves after the 85th Annual General meeting of the BCCI in Chennai

 

The other office bearers include Amitabh Choudhary, joint secretary; and Anirudh Chaudhary, treasurer. Amitabh was opposed by Chetan Desai for the post of joint secretary, while Anirudh and Rajiv Shukla contested for the post of treasurer.

M L Nehru (vice-president-North), G Ganga Raju (vice-president-South), Gautam Roy (vice-president-East), T C Mathew (vice-president-West), C K Khanna (vice-president-Central) were the others elected at the AGM. Two vice-presidents, for East and South zones, have been nominated unopposed.

Newly elected BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur flashes victory symbol after the 85th Annual General Meeting of the Board in Chennai

This time, it was the turn of East Zone to nominate a candidate for the president’s post  and Dalmiya had his presence established there. He was earlier elected as BCCI president in 2001. Sources said Dalmiya has the backing of both Srinivasan and Pawar. The AGM commenced at 9.30 am in a private hotel in Chennai amid tight security.

Earlier, there were speculations that Srinivasan, who was reprimanded by the Supreme Court for holding various positions and creating conflict of interest, would contest the election. He had tendered an apology to the apex court on Friday for chairing the BCCI working committee meeting on February 8, when the AGM date was finalised. He had said he would keep himself away from the AGM, according to an undertaking given by his advocate in the court.

For any candidate to get elected to the post, a majority vote of the total 31 members is required. The Rajasthan Cricket Association was not allowed to participate in the AGM as it was suspended earlier, making the total number of votes 30.