Pawar ka Power

Politics is often regarded as the “game of power”. But talk of cricket, cricket in India, BCCI, and one name that immediately comes to our mind is of Mr. Pawar. The gentleman’s game is not just confined to the game of power but has actually become the Pawar-game, at least in India.Its not that the BCCI was an Utopia and Pawar and his colleagues corrupted the place. Politics and cricket, like everything, at least in India. We often heard of regionalism, favouritism, etc. But after Mr pawar came to the helm of the Governing body, Indian cricket and controversies just do not seem to die off. He first tried to clear his ground, by literally kicking Jagmohan Dalmiya and his men from BCCI, it affiliate CAB (Cricket Associations of Bengal) and from other states boards.Then there was Guru Greg issue and the debacle in the World Cup.The most recent one is,however, the most interesting and at the same time most controversial, and shows his and his men’s hardheadedness.

Subhas Chandra owned Essel group first wanted the telecast rights from the BCCI, but the talks failed. Subhas has by then already launched a sports channel. So the group then intended to start a 20twenty format League in India, on the lines of England Inter-County 20twenty Tournament. But when the talks between BCCI and Essel group again failed, the Group announced about parallel league, called ICL or International Cricket. This was a direct challenge to Pawar and his commardes, and they labelled it as a rebel league and also announced that any player or state board, who associate themselves with the rebel league, would be barred from playing for India or any of its affiliate teem.

BCCI suffered when some former players, like Kapil Dev, More, Madan Lal and about 50 odd domestic players and many international players signed with the ICL. The supreme cricket authority again suffered when Delhi High Court ruled out that even if a cricketer is palying for ICL, he would not lose his job or pensions, if any.Some people like Lalu Prasad, Subhas Chakroverty are also now supporting the rebellious body, at least in words. It seems Pawar Empire is cracking and the growing discontent against BCCI is taking a shape and now their stands a body which can challenge its dictatorial authority.

(Originally written on 28 Aug, 20070