Sourav Ganguly To Be BCCI Chief For Six Years? AGM May Dilute Cooling-Off Period

October 23 was a historic day in the annals of Indian cricket administration as a cricketer came to head the richest cricket board in the world. Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian cricket team who is credited with turning the fortunes of the team at the start of the millennium, became the first cricketer to become president of the BCCI. However, the euphoria soon turned to sadness when it was revealed that Ganguly will be at the helm of the BCCI for only nine months as he had already served two consecutive terms in the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) before being nominated to the BCCI. The tenure cap was on the recommendations of the Supreme Court appointed Justice RM Lodha Panel which stated a mandatory three-year cooling off period after two consecutive terms.

However, all that could change on December 1 when the BCCI conducts their Annual General Meeting (AGM). In a report by Times of India, it has been revealed that the cooling off period might be diluted. The Lodha Panel report on tenure cap had stated, "An office bearer who has held any post for two consecutive terms either in a state association or in the BCCI (or a combination of both) shall not be eligible to contest any further election without completing a cooling off period of three years. During the cooling off period, such an office bearer shall not be a member of the Governing Council or of any committee whatsoever of the BCCI or of a state association."

According to the new amendment accessed by Times of India, it is stated that, "A president and secretary who has served in such position for two consecutive terms in BCCI (not state association) shall not be eligible to contest without completion of cooling off."

This amendment effectively means that Ganguly's period in Cricket Association of Bengal since 2014 when he was the joint-secretary and then elected unopposed as head of the CAB will not be counted in the cooling off period and that two consecutive terms ONLY IN BCCI will merit a cooling off period. This means that Ganguly could be at the helm of the BCCI until 2025. However, since this was framed by the Supreme Court, any changes or amendments will have to get approval from them.

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However, the BCCI AGM agenda has said a three-fourth's majority of the members at an AGM will be enough for amendments in rules and regulations to go through. The loophole will be that the recommendation of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) that changes cannot be given effect without the leave of the Supreme Court is "not practical at all times".

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