Observer spotted, not the polls

The warring BCCI factions have been able to agree on one thing: the possible poll observer, in former Chief Election Commissioner of India T...

The warring BCCI factions have been able to agree on one thing: the possible poll observer, in former Chief Election Commissioner of India T. S. Krishnamurthy. They also agree that no early election is possible. Not even before mid-Nobemver, what with the busy cricket season on.

Krishnamurthy himself isn8217;t averse to the job, if an 8217;official8217; approach was made.

Counsels for the factions of the Board today approached the Supreme Court with the suggestion. Krishnamurthy8217;s name has received consensus within the Board, a bench comprising Justices B. P. Singh and S. B. Sinha was told.

The bench asked them to approach Krishnamurthy and report back whether he was willing to take the job. The court listed the matter for hearing tomorrow.

When contacted, Krishnamurthy said: 8220;In principle, I have no problem in functioning as observer for the elections, but can only comment on it when I am contacted officially.8221;

On the ground the situation is murky. A source close to the Board8217;s top brass this evening told The Indian Express: 8220;It is not an easy task to co-ordinate and assemble so many people so fast for the elections. All the individuals involved have to be available, which is not probable when a number of international matches are being played at home one after another.

8220;With 12 successive one-day matches coming up, and then a home Test series, it is doubtful if the election date can be easily and cordially fixed up,8221; the official said.

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Rajasthan Cricket Association8217;s Lalit Modi also feels the polls can8217;t be held before mid November.

Meanwhile, with less than a week to go for the seven-match marathon series between India and Sri Lanka, the BCCI is anxious to arrive at a decision on which television channel bags the rights to beam the matches to the viewers.

The Board8217;s marketing committee assembles here tomorrow to award the TV rights for a four-year-long period. Much, though, will depend on the Delhi High Court8217;s decision on Zee Telefilms8217; petition.

8212;With inputs from Delhi