Former BCCCI President IS Bindra is surely not going to make the road that easy for N Srinivasan’s comeback to the BCCI fold. Srinivasan stepped aside as the BCCI president after his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, the team principal of Chennai Super Kings, was arrested by the Mumbai police for allegedly betting in the Indian Premier League. Chennai Super Kings team is owned by India Cements, a company headed by Srinivasan.
"You would agree, with great remorse, that cricket, once a gentleman's game has now become a businessman's game. It's no longer played by the book but by the bookies. Previously the most despised three letter word used to be "tax'. Now its replaced by "bet" or worse still "fix". It's time then that somebody stands up, musters the courage and puts the love of the game above everything else and presents a complaint against the current President of the BCCI Mr N Srinivasan," Bindra stated.
He made an allegation that Srinivasan has exercised his powers and position for making personal gains which is a clear violation of the ICC’s Ethics Code. He was quoted by Hindustan Times saying, "It’s quite painful that the person who is at the centre of the controversy happens to be heading the same board of which I have been a member for the last 38 years and served as its President. However I have always believed that the game is greater than any individual and the truth must come to light."
Former ICC advisor was quoted by Deccan Chronicle saying, “Clause 2.1 of the Code clearly states that the directors shall act in an ethical manner and shall not engage in conduct that gives the appearance of impropriety and Clause 4.1 makes it abundantly clear that the directors shall not use their position with the ICC for personal advantage or gain, including having any material and direct personal involvement with ICC broadcasters, such as acceptance of material payments from such broadcasters.”
Bindra was looking quite ruffled because of the statement made by ICC spokesperson which expressed that, “ICC has no objection to "stepped aside" BCCI President, N Srinivasan taking part in its Annual Conference as Director or in any other capacity.”
Former BCCI President was quoted by The Hindu saying, "ICC spokesperson may still not have any objection to the stepped-aside President attending the annual conference, but millions of cricket enthusiasts in India and across the globe have strong reservations about his participation in any deliberations until he is cleared by the competent authority and allowed to step back by the (Indian) board.”
"In your capacity as the Board of Directors, it is not only an obligation but a sacrosanct responsibility to administer the application and implementation of the Ethics Code. As you will no doubt be aware, the ICC Code of Ethics sets out a number of rules that govern the conduct of Mr Srinivasan as an ICC Director," says Bindra, the current chairman of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA).