IT IS one of the defining developments in recent times. Why is discredited IPL commissioner Lalit Modi keeping quiet? This, despite making pronouncements that he will unmask BCCI office bearers for their collusive intent. He even hired a top Delhi based public relations agency to strike back at his detractors.
But that operation too has been maintaining a stoic silence lately. I have spoken twice to Modi in the last couple of days – immediately after his suspension late on Sunday night and yesterday as well – both times his response has been a cryptic – wait and watch. He is not willing to say anything else. His close associates have been telling me that Modi is planning to mount a legal challenge. Talk has also been doing the rounds that he is jaw jawing with senior counsels. But I checked with one of the senior counsels as well and he clearly articulated that Modi has not approached him yet. So, why is Modi not revealing his hand? Is it primarily because Modi is waiting for the Supreme Court’s direction on A C Muthiah’s petition in the apex court filed on Friday?
People who understand BCCI politics which is essentially based on the edifice of a vote bank reckon that Muthiah’s plea is significant to the fortunes of Modi. How? Muthiah’s challenge is based on questions pertaining to board secretary N Srinivasan’s ‘conflict of interest’. Remember that not only is he an office bearer of the BCCI but one of its beneficiaries too as Chennai Super Kings owner.
The Times of India reported, “Muthiah, a known Jagmohan Dalmiya camp member and rival of the present dispensation, has alleged that the rule was suspended in the 2008 AGM of the BCCI ostensibly to benefit present Board secretary N Srinivasan, who is also the managing director of India Cements that owns Chennai Super Kings team. Muthiah’s petition filed through advocate Vikas Mehta alleged that suspension of clause 6.2 rule 4 in the 2008 AGM of BCCI was illegal as it allowed its administrators to take business interest in the most commercial events organised by the board — IPL and Champions League T20.
“Clause 6.2 rule 4 of BCCI applying to players, team officials, managers, umpires and administrators, says: “No administrator shall have, directly or indirectly, any commercial interest in the matches or events conducted by the Board.” Though Muthiah had cited this conflict of interest pertaining to Srinivasan in a letter to Sharad Pawar on 5 September, 2008, a two-member committee of Shashank Manohar and Niranjan Shah had recommended a change in the clause during the AGM, which suspended the rule “for events like IPL or Champions League T20”. Coincidentally, it was the erudite lawyer in Manohar, who had drafted clause 6.2.4 when Muthiah was the BCCI president, the petition said.
“The petition challenged a 24 March verdict of the Madras High Court, which had refused to entertain Muthiah’s plea. At that time, IPL was going great guns. On the other hand, Srinivasan was expecting Muthiah to move the Supreme Court and has already filed a caveat in the SC through counsel Hari Shankar to prevent the former BCCI president from pressing for any ex-parte order against him on the issue.”
The plank of Modi’s legal challenge working in conjunction with the outcome of the Muthiah petition will form the bulwark of the future course of battle. Under the ambit of conflict of interest, Modi himself can be trapped by his rivals in the BCCI. For his linkages with Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab and even Kolkota Knight Riders leave room for doubt. Contracts given to Global Cricket Ventures’s Gaurav Burman who is related to him through marriage are also under the microscope. So, Modi too can get embroiled in the ‘conflict of interest’ loop. Modi clearly has something up his sleeve, he will need to establish that the IPL governing council is culpable and it cannot shy away from the responsibility of collective decision making. Will he then file a petition against BCCI for unlawful suspension? What kind of data is he likely to share with his legal counsels?
Lots of questions, but no answers forthcoming. Is Modi worried that the Muthiah challenge can impact him adversely as well? Or does he believe that the moment he opens his mouth, skeletons pertaining to his political masters in and outside the BCCI will come tumbling out.
His proximity to Sharad Pawar is well known. We suffer from temporary amnesia for one of the best stories in the Modi saga has clearly been the one written by Business Standard which implicated two Union ministers, both from the same regional party, who pressurised the Rendezvous management into giving up the franchise. Somehow that is at the kernel of this dispute which has dragged a lot of people including Modi and Tharoor down. Conflict of interest can pull some more holy cows down, including top former cricketers. Will operation cover up succeed with the sacrifice of Modi or will it ensure that dominoes continue to collapse in a heap. Too many people have too much to lose and too much at stake in the BCCI whirligig.
Everyone is compromised and they would not want to step out of the Turkish bath exposed and unclothed.
All eyes on Modi. Can’t believe for a moment that this combative character will walk away into the sunset without a murmur. It is not in his DNA. Also a final input – two other top BCCI office bearers, presidents at that – Jagmohan Dalmiya and I S Bindra have been suspended and humiliated in the past. But after serving their three year suspensions bounced back and are once again part of the cricket board.
