Dalmiya elected BCCI president
In a coup, befitting the drama preceding the elections, two of the most powerful officials of
Indian cricket were shown the door on Saturday and a new team took over the reins of the cash-rich Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Former International Cricket Council chief Jagmohan Dalmiya turned tables on incumbent A C Muthiah in the race for presidency, winning by a comfortable margin of 17 votes to 13.
Muthiah then got slight consolation when he ensured victory for his group in the secretary's election by casting the presidential vote in favour of Niranjan Shah, who was tied on 15 votes with Jaywant Lele, a close supporter of Dalmiya.
On the first day of the two-day Annual General Meeting, in Madras on Saturday, Muthiah, who had claimed the support of 19 of the 31 voters on Friday, came in for a shock when Dalmiya was declared winner.
With Goa being disallowed from casting its vote, on the opinion
of BCCI legal advisor Nalini Chidambaram, there were only 30
votes at stake -- 29 of the affiliated units and one of the president.
Thanking all his supporters for electing him, an elated Dalmiya said, "I will serve the board to
the best of my ability."
Shah expreessed regret over the defeat of "my president",
but added that "in a democratic election, such things do
happen".
Having been identified with the Muthiah group, Shah, when
asked whether he could count on full support from Dalmiya,
replied: "I have no doubt about it. Such harmonious feelings
exist in the history of the board; we all forget who won and
who lost and work for the development of the game."
Related reports
Hectic lobbying on eve of BCCI elections
Muthiah supporters seek Dalmiya's suspension
Lele restrained from attending BCCI AGM
Mail Cricket Editor
