The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President N Srinivasan today remained defiant, rejecting demands for his resignation in the wake of the arrest of his son-in-law and CSK team owner Gurunath Meiyappan on betting charges.
However, doubts over Sunday’s IPL final involving CSK and Mumbai Indians were cleared with IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla saying the match will be held as scheduled tomorrow in Kolkata.
Shukla told reporters that “everything is under discussion” but did not elaborate.
Hectic lobbying was on in both camps as Srinivasan arrived in Kolkata where former BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya hosted a dinner for BCCI functionaries ahead of tomorrow’s final.
TNCA officials were calling various State units in a bid to drum up support for the beleaguered Srinivasan as the demand for his resignation as BCCI chief grew shriller. Earlier in the day in Mumbai, he made it clear that he has no intention of resigning as he has done nothing wrong.
“I can’t be bulldozed or railroaded into resigning. Some sources are trying (to put) pressure now. There is no question of it (resigning),” Srinivasan told reporters outside the Mumbai airport.
The 68-year-old cricket board chief said BCCI would follow strictly all its rules and law will take its course.
Sources said some Board officials plan to initiate the process to oust him by at least getting him suspended. Some would prefer to replace him with former BCCI President Shashank Manohar, who has a clean image as an interim arrangement. Some other names including former cricketer Shivlal Yadav, representing Hyderabad Cricket Association, are being mentioned as possible replacement.
Custody extended
Earlier in the day, Gurunath Meiyappan was remanded to five days police custody by a Mumbai court that was told by the police that he used to place huge bets on IPL matches after fixing the game.