Implications Of Supreme Court Order: Buzz Around BCCI Elections But Will Board Elect Srinivasan As Its ICC Representative?

While the lifting of cooling-off period will allow the office-bearers to continue, there is a strong buzz in BCCI circles that there could be an election in the offing.

Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah have got the mandate to continue for another three years in the BCCI but it is former president N Srinivasan who has been at the centre of attention following Supreme Court's decision to allow modifications relating to the age-cap of 70 years for ICC representation. The Supreme Court on Wednesday paved the way for its president Ganguly and secretary Shah to continue in office without having to serve the mandatory cooling-off period. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli said that an office bearer can have a continuous tenure of 12 years which includes six years in State Association and six years in BCCI before the cooling-off period of three years triggers.

While the lifting of cooling-off period will allow the office-bearers to continue, there is a strong buzz in BCCI circles that there could be an election in the offing.

"In BCCI, things can change on the floor of AGM. Till nomination papers are filed and scrutiny is done, you never know. It is too early to say what will happen post AGM. Yes, the current office bearers have got the mandate and everyone knew Lodha recommendations were flawed," a senior BCCI official privy to the developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

So, will the office bearers be the same or will there be change post AGM? While both Ganguly and Shah refused to offer any comments on the SC verdict, those tracking the developments said some changes in hierarchy can't be ruled out, but in which form or shape isn't clear.

Some of the questions that are doing the rounds include: Will we see Ganguly continue in BCCI as its president? Or can we see him in the ICC? Will Jay Shah be elevated by the members of the BCCI as president? Or will the decision makers allow a promotion for Congressman Rajeev Shukla (MPs who are not ministers are allowed)? These are some of the questions that will be answered in due course of time. The answers will also dictate Srinivasan's fate.