BCCI to Elect Jay Shah’s Successor as Secretary on January 12
The BCCI will hold a Special General Meeting in Mumbai on January 12. It will elect a new secretary and treasurer. The positions became vacant this month after Jay Shah and Ashish Shelar left.
The BCCI constitution says to fill any vacant post within 45 days via a Special General Meeting. With the SGM set for January 12, the board is sticking to this timeline. It is convening 43 days after the positions were vacated.
Why Are the Elections Happening Now?
Jay Shah, with a year left in his BCCI term, stepped down on December 1. He had been appointed as the youngest chairman of the ICC. Meanwhile, Ashish Shelar, a top BJP politician, resigned as treasurer after being sworn in as a cabinet minister in Maharashtra.
Both resignations were due to the Lodha Committee reforms. They ban dual roles in cricket administration and public office.
“As the posts of Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer have been vacated, the same are required to be filled up for the remaining period at a Special General Meeting by way of elections,” an official BCCI document stated.
Who Will Oversee the Elections?
The Apex Council has proposed appointing Achal Kumar Jyoti as the Electoral Officer for the upcoming elections. He is a former Chief Election Commissioner of India. Jyoti, 71, is a retired IAS officer of the 1975 batch from Gujarat. He served as India’s Chief Election Commissioner from July 2017 to January 2018.
The SGM notice was sent to all state cricket associations after the Apex Council meeting on Thursday.
“Yes, after the Apex Council Meeting on Thursday, state units were sent a notification about the date of the SGM, which is January 12 at the BCCI headquarters,” a state association president confirmed to PTI.
Interim Arrangements and Expected Outcomes
Devajit Saikia from Assam is the interim BCCI secretary. The treasurer’s position is vacant. Most expect the elections will result in unanimous choices for both positions.
The new appointees will serve the rest of the term. This will keep the board running until further elections are needed.
Key Points to Note
- Jay Shah’s Departure: After being elected ICC chairman, Shah resigned as BCCI secretary. He is the youngest to hold the prestigious position.
- Ashish Shelar’s Exit: Shelar quit as treasurer after joining Maharashtra’s cabinet, per Lodha reforms.
- Lodha Reforms: The Supreme Court-mandated reforms require filling vacant positions within 45 days. They bar individuals from holding multiple roles.
- Electoral Officer: Former Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Jyoti has been proposed to oversee the elections.