Vengsarkar questions one-state one-vote, CAG member, and almost all of Lodha recommendations

07/25/2016

Refusing to go down without a fight, MCA Vice-President Dilip Vengsarkar opined that the Lodha recommendations need to reviewed to avoid massive negative repercussions. The ex-cricketer, who stands to lose his position if they are enforced, also questioned the one-state one-vote logic.

Despite the Supreme Court already having stamped its approval on the Lodha recommendations, discontent continues to simmer from the establishment circles at the massive changes that it would bring in Indian cricket. Ex-cricketer and current office holder Dilip Vengsarkar is one among them.

"After studying the order, I feel that there are some points which need to be reviewed for the survival of Indian cricket because if they're implemented in toto, it'll be harmful for it," Vengsarkar told TOI on Sunday.

After studying the order, I feel that there are some points which need to be reviewed for the survival of Indian cricket because if they're implemented in toto, it'll be harmful for it."

"If you apply the reforms retrospectively, almost 99% of the administrators in India won't be eligible to continue in the office, and they'd have to be replaced. So, there won't be any continuity, which is a grave issue.

Also, read : What the Supreme Court verdict means for Indian cricket and the BCCI

Vengsarkar also questioned the logic of providing equality to states like Bihar and Jammu & Kashmir alongside Mumbai which has had an illustrious past in Indian cricket.

"The elections of the BCCI's Apex Council (which will replace the Working committee now) will be held every three years, which means one state (for eg either Maharashtra, Mumbai or Vidarbha) may end up voting again and again on behalf of Maharashtra, since the right to vote will be rotated on a yearly basis."

"I fail to comprehend, and beyond my imagination, that how can Mumbai be reduced to an associate member of the Board, while states like Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, and Mizoram enjoy full membership. No other state association in the world has a richer history than the MCA. Mumbai has produced around 72 India cricketers, and clinched the Ranji Trophy 41 times," fumed Vengsarkar.

I fail to comprehend, and beyond my imagination, that how can Mumbai be reduced to an associate member of the Board, while states like Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, and Mizoram enjoy full membership. No other state association in the world has a richer history than the MCA. Mumbai has produced around 72 India cricketers, and clinched the Ranji Trophy 41 times."

The cricketer also questioned the three-year `cooling off ' period recommended for the BCCI and state unit officials.

"Who'll be interested in coming back after three years? It's an honorary job, in which one spends time and money. There will be no continuity which means if you make a decision at the end of your tenure, you won't be around to ensure its implementation. If you find officials capable of working in this system, please go ahead and appoint them," he said.

Vengsarkar also expressed his discontent at the recommendation to bring in a CAG representative saying it will invoke sanctions from the International Cricket Council (ICC). "The ICC has made it clear that there shouldn't be any government official in the BCCI," he pointed out.

Also, read : Why every sport in India needs a Lodha committee