The BCCI respects Supreme Court's verdict on sweeping reforms in the cricket board and it will work towards implementing the recommendations made by the lodha panel, senior BCCI functionary and IPl chairman Rajeev Shukla said on Monday.
"We respect SC's decision. Will look into how we can implement the lodha panel recommendations," Shukla was quoted as saying by television channels.
The Supreme Court on Monday accepted major recommendations of the lodha Committee on reforms in BCCI including a bar on ministers and civil servants and those above 70 from becoming its members but left it to Parliament to decide whether it should come under RTI.
Former India cricketers Bishan Singh Bedi and Kirti Azad too hailed the verdict of the apex court.
"let's all accept Supreme Court's verdict gracefully & humbly-after all isn't health o Indn Crkt more imp than any personality pol/otherwise!" tweeted Bedi.
Azad too took to Twitter to express his views. "my stand vindicated, #SupremeCourt accepts Justice lodha committee report. Wait for my further action against #DDCA and #BCCI," wrote Azad, who alongside Bedi has led a crusade against corruption in the DDCA.
A bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice F M I Kalifulla also rejected BCCI's objection against recommendations for one-state-one-vote and said that states like Maharashtra and Gujarat having more than one cricket associations will have voting rights on rotational basis.
BCCI needs me more: Shirke
BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke on Monday made it clear that he will be relinquishing his post of president of Maharashtra Cricket Association as the "parent body will need him more" in a situation when it is going through major structural reforms.
With Supreme Court making it clear that it will be a case of one post per person in the cricket body, the Pune based business tycoon has made his choice.
"I have always said that I have no fascination for designations. If somebody wants, they can take away both posts (BCCI and MCA) from me. But if you ask me, I feel at this juncture, the board (BCCI) needs me more than my state association. I am a person who will not run away from my responsibilities unless the members ask me to do so," Shirke told.
Incidentally, under the One-State One Vote recommendation by lodha panel which has been accepted by Supreme Court, Maharashtra despite being the mother state may not have voting rights along with Vidarbha as Mumbai is the biggest cricket team from the region. However rotation policy may allow one unit to get voting right per year.
Shirke said that the board members will be meeting in Mumbai next week as there are a few meetings lined up at the Cricket Centre.
"We have to study and digest the 143-page report first. The members will be landing in Mumbai as there are a few routine meetings lined up regarding the finances. The balance sheet is being prepared. Since the members will be coming, it is only obvious that we will be speaking and the issue will come up for discussion. Together, we will chart a road ahead," said Shirke.