Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president and NCP chief Sharad Pawar is learnt to have met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a bid to foil N. Srinivasan's attempt to regain his post as the BCCI chief. BCCI's elections are slated for March 2, with March 1 being the final date for filing of nominations.
Srinivasan is currently barred by the Supreme Court from contesting Board elections until he gives up commercial interests in the sport. However, he is expected to meet his supporters in Chennai, on Friday, to propose the name of current BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel for Board president's post.
Patel is considered a close confidante of Srinivasan and, if elected, could serve as his "proxy." If not Patel, even former Board chief Jagmohan Dalmiya's name could be suggested.
According to an earlier PTI report, MCA sources had said Pawar was confident of getting the requisite support from the East Zone as well as the rest of the Board if it comes to a contest with the ruling faction. Pawar had previously held the post from 2005 to 2008.
While Srinivasan remains determined to regain his footing in the BCCI, his lawyer Kapil Sibal is expected to be at the apex court hearing of a contempt of court case against his client, on Friday. The Supreme Court on Monday, had questioned Srinivasan's decision to attend and chair a BCCI meeting on February 8 despite their ruling (on January 22) barring him from doing so.
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