Uncertainty over telecast rights continues

The suspense over the contentious telecast rights continues as the marketing committee of the Indian board, which met in Mumbai today, felt that they needed a bit more time to sort out "some legal issues". However, a sub-committee was formed to discuss the legal issues involved and they will advise the lawyers after due deliberation.

Ranbir Singh Mahendra, the president of the board, made this announcement and also confirmed that Sharad Pawar had resigned from the marketing committee owing to his other commitments in his official position as a central government minister. Speculation about the resignation of another committee member, N Srinivasan, were laid to rest as he did attend the meeting.

The board was never likely to disclose the decision of the committee until the Delhi high court heard the petition filed by Zee Telefilms, one of the four bidders. On October 4, the high court had directed the board that the decision on the technical bids - for coverage of domestic and international matches from October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2009 - would have to be conveyed to it on October 19, the next date of the hearing.

Mahendra said that the bids of the four television channels - Zee Telefilms, ESPN-Star, Sony and Prasar Bharati - had been discussed. He added that a three-man sub-committee, comprising the two former presidents - Jagmohan Dalmiya and IS Bindra - and himself, had been constituted to advise the lawyers regarding the technical bids. He confirmed that the Delhi high court would hear Zee's petition on October 19 and that the marketing committee would meet again on October 20, in Kolkata to come to a final decision.

Unconfirmed reports last week said that Pawar resigned because he was unhappy with the financial affairs of the board, which made him feel like an outsider. But Mahendra circulated a copy of Sharad Pawar's letter to the members of the press and cleared the air. In his letter, Pawar had said: "I am grateful to the BCCI for nominating me in the marketing committee. But due to my official position [as minister] I won't be able to devote time to the committee. However, I will be happy to lend my support to the board, if needed."

Sources close to Srinivasan, the vice-chairman and managing director of India Cements, confirmed that he had no intention of resigning from the committee and wasn't sure about attending the meeting since he was out of the country.