Dubai: With less than a week to go for the September 29 annual general meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) the whole board sank into a murky state. N. Srinivasan, who is seeking an extension as president of the BCCI is inundated with obstacles. The latest to hit the board was a court order restraining BCCI from holding its September 25 special general meeting for taking disciplinary action against former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi.

On Saturday Srinivasan’s son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan was charged by the Mumbai Police of forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy in the Indian Premier League betting scandal.

Though Srinivasan has loudly proclaimed that he is not disqualified and that no one can get him out and he will contest and get elected again, many BCCI members are finding it hard to stomach the shame that has befallen on the board. It is understood that many have tried to persuade Srinivasan not to contest under the present circumstances. Discarding public pressure and increasing number of court orders, Srinivasan has taken it up as a challenge to continue as the BCCI president.

A few have proposed the name of former BCCI president Shashank Manohar as next president. He is known for his impeccable qualities as a clean administrator and will be apt to restore the sinking image of the board. Srinivasan is understood to have refused to allow his seat to be taken by Manohar, who was once his close ally.

Srinivasan, amidst mounting pressure, is busy garnering votes that are needed for him to remain at the helm. He is said to have made sure that he will be elected unopposed. Known for his ability to crush all opponents, Srinivasan is said to have made sure that his rivals will not even have a proposer from South Zone for their candidate. Using his huge clout and promises Srinivasan is understood to have won over all the South Zone states because as per the BCCI rules a contender for the top post must have the endorsement of at least two units from the zone whose turn it is to elect the president.

Most BCCI members are aware that Srinivasan may find it difficult to perform his duties as president as more court orders may follow and may curtail his powers or restrict him from performing his duties. Even the India’s Sports Ministry is likely to object if Srinivasan is re-elected and may go on to strengthen their demand to bring BCCI under their umbrella.

According to the Mumbai Police’s charge sheet Meiyappan is said to have even bet through his friend Vindoo Dara Singh against his own team Chennai Super Kings.

Many now feel that since BCCI banned players like Sreesanth when the investigation is still going on, then the Chennai Super Kings team as well as Meiyappan should also not be spared. As per the IPL rule if one of the owners has brought disrepute to the team then the team itself has to be banned.