Cricket: Not asked former BCCI boss to speak on govt interference, says Thakur

New Delhi: BCCI President Anurag Thakur on Monday said in Supreme Court that he had not asked ICC CEO Shashank Manohar to state that the appointment of Justice R M Lodha committee would "tantamount to government interference" in the functioning of BCCI.
"I am filing this affidavit pursuant to the order dated October 7, passed by this court on whether I had asked the CEO of the ICC to state that the appointment of Justice Lodha Committee was tantamount to government interference in the working of the BCCI.
"At the outset, it is denied that any such request was put forth by me to the CEO of the ICC," Thakur said in his affidavit.
Thakur said he had taken part in a recent ICC meeting where he had pointed out to the ICC chief that he, as the then BCCI President, had taken a view that Justice Lodha panel recommendation on appointment of a CAG nominee in the apex council would amount to governmental interference and may invoke action of suspension of the Board from the ICC.
"I, therefore, requested him that he being the ICC chairman, can a letter be issued clarifying the position which he had taken as BCCI President," the affidavit said.
"Manohar explained to me at the meeting that when the stand was taken by him, the matter was pending before this court and had not been decided," Thakur said.
The affidavit further said the apex court had later rejected BCCI's contention that the appointment of CAG nominee in the council would amount to governmental interference.
The apex court had held that the ICC would appreciate that the appointment would bring transparency in the finances of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The apex court had on October 7 directed Thakur to explain by filing a "personal affidavit", the allegation "whether he had asked the CEO of the ICC to state that the appointment of Justice Lodha Committee was tantamount to government interference in the working of the BCCI".

Confused
Meanwhile, Anurag Thakur on Monday said the state units are currently confused about some of the suggestions and need more clarity before complying.
The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its order on directions to be passed to BCCI for implementation of Lodha panel's recommendations.
"You need 3/4th majority to adopt these recommendations. We have done our duty to go back to the state associations and they have to take a call on that. If you don't have 3/4th majority, you cannot adopt these recommendations," Thakur told mediapersons after Monday's court proceedings.
"Right now, there is more confusion in the state associations on how to implement the recommendations, I think we need more clarity," he added.
The BCCI has held on to its stand about "practical difficulties in implementing some of the recommendations" which include 'One State One Vote', 'Age Cap of 70 years', 'Three years Cooling off Period', 'One Person One Post'.According to sources in the state associations, the units want to bide time as BCCI anxiously awaits the revised Sports Bill which could put a spanner on far-reaching recommendations of the Supreme Court appointed panel.
The BCCI is likely to ask for at least three months time as it is impossible to expect that the Sports Bill could be tabled in the Winter Session of Parliament.
At best, one can expect that the Sports Bill will be placed before the House only during the Budget Session next year.
If the recommendations are accepted in their current form, a lot of officials will have to make their way out from the most glamorous sports body in the country.
For BCCI, it's now a battle of attrition as they have to show "enough stamina" to stretch this off the field battle to a conclusion of their liking.