The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), holding marathon meetings on Wednesday and Friday, said it will make all attempts to persuade state associations to accept the Justice Lodha Committee recommendations.
Speaking to a select media gathering on Wednesday evening, Vinod Rai, chairman of the CoA said, “All attempts will be made to persuade them (state associations) to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court.” He added that he understood the state associations were resisting the reforms and is looking forward to understanding their issues and resolving them in a consultative manner.
“We understand they have difficulty in accepting particular aspects of it. We will talk it out,” said Rai, extending a helping hand to state associations who have resisted the Lodha reforms despite the SC order and have filed petitions in the apex court. Rai, however, added, “Wherever persuasive powers are required, we will apply.”
Rai was accompanied by other committee members—Diana Edulji, Ram Chandra Guha—while Vikram Limaye was absent from the briefing. BCCI CEO Rahul Johri too was present.
When asked how it plans to make the defiant state associations to fall in line, Rai said, “CoA doesn't plan to be aggressive at all. We will take it step by step. For every objective to be done, it has to be done in stages.”
When Rai was asked what stage he was in right now, his response was, “Right now in stage one.” Rai was confident of implementing all reforms by October-December.
He discussed a broad spectrum of issues ranging from state associations’ continued defiance and how the CoA plans to deal with it, BCCI's stand in the International Cricket Council on the controversial changes in the revenue model to constitutional changes in the governance structure. He also defended CoA’s move to withdraw its complaint against the Australian skipper Steven Smith after the Bengaluru Test.
Rai and Guha reiterated that India’s interest will not be compromised even though the past BCCI special general body meeting (SGM) had passed a unanimous resolution endorsing the undoing of the BIG Three revenue model of the ICC which would cut back India’s revenues by over Rs. 1,000 crore.
Guha cited audio tapes of the meeting used for record purposes which showed BCCI had agreed to the rolling back of BIG Three model. Despite that, CoA’s Limaye has sent an 11 page letter point-by-point disagreement with Shashank Manohar’s proposed changes. Guha added, “We heard the audio tape of the special general body meeting . We heard all members including the likes of Sharad Pawar and Shashank Manohar agree on the financial model saying that everybody is on board. However, we will absolutely not sacrifice India's interest.”
Meanwhile, curious media persons asked Rai whether they could take on a BCCI that had mastered the art of politics in cricket. Rai’s acerbic response was, “We are not interested in politics but if politics is to be played we wont be found wanting.” This should go down as a warning to the ousted old guard.
Following are excepts from the interaction with the CoA:
On the continuous hurdles put by the state associations
The Supreme Court has given us a direction. There is a verdict in place and our job is to persuade the state associations to accept the model. It will be done and the process is on.
On states defying the SC direction
Considerable headway has been made. A considerable amount of time has also been given. We will work it out. Our job is to see cricket should go on as per schedule. The state associations have worked in a manner for 30 to 40 years. You don’t expect them to budge overnight. So far, they have not accepted it but that does not mean they will never accept it. They must understand the SC verdict.
On how to achieve the 2/3 majority in state associations to accept the changes
We are talking to them and will continue to talk to them. Our immediate task is to keep the game going. For that we have worked on the 1) conduct of the IPL 2) auction of the IPL and 3) arrangements for conducting IPL smoothly. We are here for the last 50 days only. Only three days ago we have set up the model constitution. We want to take things in the consultation way and not in the confrontational way.
When we took over, we did not expect some people or rather a particular group of people to be generous. There are attempts to collaborate. Our attempt will be to persuade them to accept things. The court will play an important role in it. Some defiance was tried but they failed. If it goes on, we will react. But which way we will react, that we can’t discuss at the moment.
There is a plan of action in place, well defined. But that can’t be discussed. Let us make it clear. These problems are solvable and will be solved to everyone’s satisfaction.
We are not interested in politics. But if politics is needed to be played, then we won’t be found wanting.
On 9+9 years confusion regarding tenure of a member
The verdict is very clear. Its 9 years only. And there is a full stop.
On India’s interest being compromised in ICC
Let us make one thing clear–we will not sacrifice India’s interest. We have a mandate from the court to run the BCCI. Our attempt will be to ensure BCCI does not lose financially.
On this issue, we met Shashank Manohar. He gave us a very good guidance. We are also conscious of the way the smaller nations are to be encouraged. We have to keep a balance and at the same time contribute for the improvement of cricket.
On having not enough knowledge of the ICC
Well, not two or three people are the personification of all knowledge. We are privy to the recording of the last SGM and we know what was discussed there. When we met Manohar, we tried to understand the revenue model of both the sides. He gave us full details of the financial models in the ICC.
And then he resigned…
That was his decision on personal reasons.
On India-Australia series problems and why a U-turn on complaint against Steve Smith
It has been a great series so far….great rivalry. We did not go for a U-turn after the altercation on the field. When such things happen, you have to point it out. But that does not mean every time you have to go to the international court. It was in the spirit of the game, we decided not to take forward the charges. We know our players…we have been interacting with them regularly.
On the Deloitte audit reports and whether it could be made public
We will be guided by it. We have sent it to the states. Let them reply to it. There is a process before we could make it public. The process has to be followed.
On increase of payment to players
It was last reviewed in 2010. So it has been increased.
