Journalism of Courage
BCCI President N Srinivasan came under fresh pressure in connection with the IPL spot-fixing scandal Wednesday as former board chief and Union minister Sharad Pawar called for a home ministry probe into the alleged racket.
There was also a new demand for his resignation from the sports ministry and IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla urged him to stay away from the boards probe against his son-in-law,Gurunath Meiyappan.
If I was the BCCI president,this would have never happened. I brought unity in BCCI which wasnt there earlier… Feel sad,this matter should go to home ministry, Pawar said at a press conference.
Meanwhile,the sports ministry joined the chorus of voices demanding Srinivasans resignation on moral grounds.
BCCI is inquiring into allegations of match and spot-fixing. As there is a conflict of interest in this inquiry,therefore BCCI president should tender his resignation on moral grounds,pending the outcome of the inquiry, the ministry said in a statement.
There were also more voices of dissent from within the BCCI. After a meeting with BCCI vice president Arun Jaitley,IPL chairman and Union minister Rajiv Shukla said Srinivasan should stay away from the probe against Meiyappan. Probe panel should implement its recommendations instead of sending them to the BCCI. Jaitley and I think Srinivasan should stay away till the probe is on, Shukla said.
Srinivasan responded by saying Shuklas views were the same as his and that he would have nothing to do with the three-member commission . The commission is independent… They have powers to endorse punishments. We will just await that result, Srinivasan said.
