BCCI unlikely to decide today
Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta
"I am not bothered about whether the board is satisfied with my report or not," BCCI commissioner K Madhavan said, after briefing the BCCI's emergency meeting in the Crystal Room of the Taj Bengal, Calcutta.
"I am here only to clarify certain parts of the report submitted by me," the former CBI joint director told this correspondent as he left the room after concluding his briefing. "I have discussed everything that the board wanted clarifications on, and that includes the CBI's criticism of the functioning of the board and also the issue of match-fixing by the cricketers."
Madhavan reiterated that he was not concerned with the question of punishment. "That is the board's prerogative," was all the comment Madhavan would make on the subject.
Judging, however, by the noises coming out of the ongoing BCCI emergency meeting, Operation Delay seems to be in place, regarding the question of punishment for the cricketers tainted by the CBI report into match-fixing, and subsequently by the K Madhavan report.
"Why is everyone in such a hurry to prescribe punishment?" demanded BCCI vice-president Kamal Morarka. "The CBI took 6 months to investigate, Madhavan gave us his report only three days back, do you want a fair decision or a quick decision from us?"
Morarka, who has of late taken a high-profile stance within the BCCI, told this correspondent, "Those cricketers are like our children, shouldn't we consider everything before rushing to impose punishment? Anyway," he continued, "where is the proof, the solid evidence, that they have had dealings with bookies and fixed matches? We have to take everything into account before deciding on the next course of action."
Morarka spoke to this correspondent even as K Madhavan was briefing the board executive, in the Crystal Room of the Taj Bengal. Madhavan's report has indicted Azharuddin for match-fixing, and indicated that Ajay Jadeja and Manoj Prabhakar had been over-familiar with bookies and engaged in conduct unbecoming.
In that context, Morarka's argument that there is no proof of any wrongdoing comes as something of a surprise -- and seem to underline the growing perception that there is, within the BCCI, a substantial and vocal section of officials who would like to see the tainted cricketers get away with a token slap on the wrist. In this connection, it needs to be mentioned that Morarka is himself a member of the disciplinary committee, along with fellow vice-president Ram Prasad and BCCI president A C Muthiah.
A press briefing is scheduled for 3 pm. Originally, the briefing was meant to let the media know what decisions had been taken by the board now sitting in emergency session. However, Morarka indicated that no decision would be forthcoming.
"The disciplinary committee needed time to consider Madhavan's report. Also, the meeting with the five cricketers in Delhi yesterday lasted till very late. There has been no time to deliberate on the outcome of those meetings and take a final decision," Morarka argued.
Later, Raj Singh Dungarpur also confirmed to this correspondent that a decision was not on the cards today. Further, Dungarpur said that it was too early to tell when a final decision would be taken.
"Right now, we are discussing the Madhavan report, and we have decided to take into account all possible viewpoints and consider all angles before arriving at a final decision," Dungarpur said.
When it was pointed out that Madhavan has squarely indicted Mohammad Azharuddin, Dungarpur, who it will be recalled was chairman of selectors when Azhar was first made captain, and BCCI president when the player took over from Sachin for a second term, said, "Unfortunately, Azhar seems to be in a bit of a spot right now. We have to consider all possibilities, and all the possible measures, before deciding what to do about him."
The former BCCI president denied that there were two factions within teh board, one in favour of exemplary punishment and the other against. "We are like one big family, the only troublemaker was I S Bindra and he is out now," Dungarpur said, adding that he felt Muthiah, "an astute leader", would come up with suitable punishment.
Dungarpur indicated that the disciplinary committee would meet again after the 3 PM media briefing -- but said at this point in time, it was not know when the committee would meet, and when a final decision would be taken.
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