Why is BCCI opposing Lodha committee reforms, asks Azad

'All members of the then 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL) governing council are equally responsible for the mess created in the league and singling out Lalit Modi is improper'

Hailing the recommendations by the Supreme Court appointed Justice RM Lodha committee for the BCCI, suspended BJP MP Kirti Azad has suggested that such proposal should also come in for other sports bodies in the country.

"BCCI is like a spoilt brat obsessed with a toy that is cricket and unwilling to let it go," said Azad at a press meet organised by Bankers Sports Club of Nagpur at a city hotel on Sunday.

"Why are they opposing Lodha committee recommendations?" questioned Azad.

The high powered Lodha committee was appointed by the Supreme Court to overhaul Indian cricket.

Referring to the IPL mess, Azad said, it was not proper to single out Lalit Modi for the entire set of problems.

"All members of the then 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL) governing council are equally responsible for the mess created in the league and singling out Lalit Modi is improper," said the former cricketer.

"Why didn't anyone (members of the governing council) show any dissent then?" asked Azad.

On shifting of IPL games to South Africa and the mess that followed,  Azad said, office-bearers of then BCCI at that time should have been aware of the law of the land. They unite for corruption and align for position.

"Cricket is popular because of players and not because of administrators and why are the officials then clinging to power?" Azad questioned.

On the issue of age and one state one vote, Azad said, that none of the north-eastern states and Bihar are having any votes or cricket development and the BCCI officials are silent for so long.

“DDCA is a habitual offender and used, misused and abused government departments for their benefits and were illegal squatters of its premises”, Azad alleged.

Penalty should be levied for sub-standard wickets prepared, said Azad while replying on the neutral venue experiment by BCCI.

IMAGE: Chairman of the Supreme Court-appointed committee for reforms in Indian cricket Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha is flanked by Justice Ashok Bhan (left) and Justice R V Raveendran at a press conference

Photograph: PTI