The BCCI has decided to call an emergency working committee meeting in Chennai on November 18 to decide whether to postpone only the board's election, or the annual general meeting as well. The conundrum had arisen after the Supreme Court on Friday stressed that N Srinivasan cannot seek re-election till the probe into the IPL corruption scandal is complete.

Ever since conclusion of the Supreme Court proceedings, there has been a confusion among the BCCI members about the status of the AGM. Soon after the court made it clear that Srinivasan cannot contest on November 20, BCCI counsel C Aryama Sundaram sought permission to postpone the AGM by four weeks, which was reportedly granted to him.

But the election of the president, secretary, joint-secretary, treasurer and five vice-presidents is only one of the several issues on the agenda of the AGM, which has already been pushed back by a couple of months. It was supposed to be conducted by September 30, but, due to the ongoing investigation into the IPL 2013 spot-fixing case and Srinivasan's role in the same, the working committee had decided on September 26 to have the AGM on November 20.

According to the BCCI's rulebook, notice for an emergent working committee meeting needs to be issued at least 72 hours in advance. Though the members haven't been formally notified so far, most of the working committee members have been notified verbally about the meeting.

However, some of the BCCI's members have questioned the action of the BCCI counsel to keep pushing back the AGM. It is understood that at least three member associations wrote to BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel asking him not to postpone the AGM.

Former BCCI president Shashank Manohar, who has emerged as the flag-bearer of the anti-Srinivasan movement in the BCCI, said on Friday that the AGM dates cannot be altered. "However it appears that during today's [court] hearing, as soon as the names of Srinivasan and [Gurunath] Meiyappan were disclosed, the Counsel for the Board made a request for the postponement of the AGM and elections scheduled to be held on 20th November," Manohar had said.

After taking legal advice and having multiple rounds of discussion, the BCCI hierarchy was convinced that if it postponed the AGM, or the election, without the working committee's approval, it would lead to another legal battle, so the meeting was called.

It is also understood that the office-bearers are in favour of proceeding with the AGM but postponing the elections till the Supreme Court decides Srinivasan's fate. Apart from the election, the AGM usually lists several matters, including confirmation of minutes of the previous general meetings, adoption of the secretary's review report, adoption of treasurer's report and the audited accounts, adoption of the annual budget, appointment of auditors, election of working committee, standing committees and other sub-committees, consideration of reports and recommendations of various committees, and appointing India's representative to the ICC.

"The election can held in a SGM [special general meeting], so [postponing] it would give every interested and eligible candidate a fair opportunity," said an insider privy to discussions.

For the first time in the last 18 months, the Srinivasan camp appears to be on the backfoot, following the Supreme Court directive to bar him from contesting the election. Also, the opposition group of Manohar and Mumbai Cricket Association chief Sharad Pawar has hinted at opening a front against Srinivasan in the election.

A member of the opposing faction said it was "high time" all the current office-bearers resign in the wake of the Supreme Court diktat. "For the last one and half years, they are being adamant on holding on to their posts, which is doing no good to Indian cricket's image," he said. "At least now, they should resign. Otherwise, we will be forced to oust them during the election."
(Cricinfo)