The Hindu Business Line : Pawar elected BCCI chief

THE Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, was elected president won the election for the president's post of the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI), bringing to end a widely watched power struggle in the Indian cricketing world.

Defeating the incumbent Mr Ranbir Singh Mahendra by a convincing 20-11 margin, Mr Pawar had his entire team romp home, winning the posts of secretary, joint secretary and treasurer among others. The election was held under the supervision of the Supreme Court-appointed special observer, Mr T.S. Krishnamurty, former chief election commissioner.

Mr Mahendra was backed by Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya, whose camp has been running the BCCI, the country's wealthiest sports body, for 21 years.

Immediately after his election, Mr Pawar thanked Mr Krishnamurthy and expressed his gratitude to the apex court and all those who supported him.

Other leading politicians such as Dr Farooq Abdullah, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and Mr Praful Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister were also present.

"We will now concentrate on building infrastructure for cricket throughout India. I am sure our collective efforts will give justice to young, budding players and the cricket loving people of the country," Mr Pawar told reporters.

Last year Mr Pawar had lost to Mr Mahendra by the narrowest of margins (16-15) after the then president, Mr Dalmiya, cast his vote in favour of his protégé.

The BCCI election had assumed significance over the past months because of several legal cases filed by regional bodies.

Moreover, the participation of senior politicians had converted a routine annual election exercise into a high voltage contest.

India Inc too had a stake in this election, though indirectly. Domestic companies are the biggest advertisers in cricket matches played by the Indian team, contributing as much as around Rs 1 crore a day to the BCCI kitty.

Though today's election passed off smoothly, barring a minor incident, sources said the matter was likely to be taken to the Supreme Court again.

At the time of writing, there was no confirmation for this.

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