New Delhi: Former BCCI president Shashank Manohar said on Saturday that the amendment of the BCCI constituition in 2012 regarding president's post was done to ensure that BJP heavyweight Arun Jaitley became board chief in 2014 instead of N Srinivasan going for a second term.
In 2012, BCCI constituition was amended wherein an incumbent from a different zone can become president if his name is proposed and seconded by the zone which has the turn to elect the chief.
"I believe that the members decided in favour of amendment of the constituition so that decks are cleared for Mr Arun Jaitley (erstwhile DDCA president and BCCI vice-president) to become the BCCI president from East Zone.
"It was specifically done for Mr Jaitley as he was the unanimous choice of the members," Manohar told PTI in an interview on Saturday.
The Nagpur-based lawyer, one of the most respected voices in BCCI during his time, made it clear that he has no intentions of taking up any post in the world's richest cricket body.
"Let me make it very clear. I am not contesting any elections nor will I ever make a comeback in any capacity in BCCI during my lifetime. I was the BCCI president and I have played my innings. I would like to keep it like that. I have no intentions of making a comeback. Yes, if my help is required, I am ready to offer my expertise," Manohar gave a straightforward reply.
Asked if there are suitable people to become BCCI president, Manohar answered, "There are plenty of people who are capable enough. I would have loved to see Mr Jaitley take over. I will not be able to comment, if he is in a position to take up the job. Mr Sharad Pawar and Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya have also been BCCI presidents earlier and are capable to handle the top job."
The 56-year-old Manohar also termed BCCI's move to postpone the Annual General Meeting as "unconstitutional".
"The BCCI has Constitution has been flouted. Article 16(i) of BCCI Constitution clearly states that the BCCI AGM has to be held on or before September 30. There will be a constitutional crisis since the AGM will not be held in the scheduled period," Manohar, a legal expert himself, gave his opinion.
"The Annual Budget is put for approval at the AGM. As per rules, it can't passed at any other forum. BCCI's functions can be hampered," he said.
Why isn't the BCCI members then are raising questions, Manohar said,"I don't know why as I don't attend board meetings. You need to ask those members, who attend board meetings."
Will it mean that the selection committee technically ceases to exist from October 1 as the West Indies series starts from October 8.
"All committees are named at the AGM. We can cross that bridge when it comes but to avoid constitutional crisis, they can obviously name the Indian squad before September 30," Manohar concluded.
