Death and a re-birth: How Shashank Manohar made his way to BCCI top job

Shashank Manohar, the Nagpur lawyer who likes to maintain a low-key profile, became the BCCI president on Sunday. Ironically, it's a development that's seen as the result of N Srinivasan's attempt to patch up with Sharad Pawar, a move that has backfired spectacularly. It’s said that Srinivasan's move piqued Arun Jaitley who decided to bring back Manohar to start the end game.

The intent of Srinivasan, who had patched up with Pawar after late Jagmohan Dalmiya had snubbed him following BCCI elections in March, was simple: If Pawar runs BCCI, he can continue to enjoy his run in ICC and his position within BCCI also remains safe.

However, that move upset Jaitley and BJP, which has the maximum votes in board at the moment.

Sept 20: The death that started it all

Jagmohan Dalmiya takes his last breath in Kolkata’s hospital after a massive cardiac arrest, triggering the battle for power at the BCCI.

Sept 21: Srini’s bold move

Srinivasan’s decision to request a meeting with Pawar, someone he had fallen out with, sets tongues wagging. Speculations abound about Pawar’s interest in the top job.

Sept 22: Jaitley silent

Even as names of contenders roll out — Rajeev Shukla and Pawar seem to be the frontrunners — Arun Jaitley is silent and is yet to make his backing public.

Sept 23: Srini-Pawar meet

Srinivasan meets Pawar at NCP minister Praful Patel’s residence in Nagpur and requests Pawar to be BCCI chief. Later in the day, Pawar speaks to Manohar and Ajay Shirke and the duo tells him that they will not go with Srinivasan. The development makes Jaitley call Manohar and Shirke for a meeting in Delhi.

Sept 24: The turning point — Jaitley backs Manohar

The BCCI circuit is abuzz with the news that Jaitley is miffed with Srinivasan’s move to rope in Pawar and decides to plunge for Manohar. The Delhi meeting ends with Jaitley trying to convince Manohar to contest for the president’s post and a message is sent to Pawar that BJP will back Manohar. A non-committal Manohar seeks more time as he wants Pawar’s backing as well.

Sept 26: Manohar says yes

After getting the nod from Pawar, Manohar consents to Jaitley’s suggestion to stand for Presidency. Srinivasan’s last throw of dice to patch up with Pawar is now seen as a blunder, a trigger that moved Jaitley to pitch in for Manohar, who had fallen out with Srinivasan.

Sept 27: Various factions say yes to Manohar

At a meeting in a Mumbai hotel on Ganesh Chaturthi, Thakur brings in more good news to Manohar. He has the assurance from East Zone that they will back Manohar, and has already secured support of Orissa, Tripura, and Andhra – so four out of six zones are already in the bag. Even Bengal and National Cricket Club who were arranging Dalmiya’s mourning ceremony had given their unofficial backing to Manohar.

Sept 28: Srinivasan refuses to fade away

Even as the news breaks that Srinivasan is desperately trying to pull off a meeting with Amit Shah, the second in command at BJP, the BCCI sends a note to all state associations at 11:32 pm to inform the date of SGM.

Sept 30: All but over

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur makes a confident proclamation: “Shashank Manohar is our consensus candidate. He is the only candidate for the BCCI president’s post. N Srinivasan can come and vote at the SGM”.
October 2 : Srini accepts defeat

The Tamil Nadu cricket association says it will send PS Raman, their vice president, to the SGM and that Srinivasan won’t be attending.

October 4 : Manohar elected BCCI Prez

The 58-year-old begins his second stint as President after being elected to the post at the Special General Body meeting on Sunday. #Source: The Indian Express, By Devendra Pandey