No gag order,M S Dhoni was right to remain silent: N. Srinivasan

BCCI chief N. Srinivasan accuses media of creating 'bad blood'.

A day after Indian skipper M S Dhoni ducked questions on the IPL spot-fixing scandal,BCCI president N. Srinivasan Wednesday justified his decision to impose a gag order.

N. Srinivasan said the press conference was organised in connection with the Champions Trophy and was not the right platform to discuss other issues. He labelled the conference an exercise in goodwill and accused the media of creating bad blood.

Let me make it clear,no one has gagged anyone. But yesterdays press conference was meant for the Champions Trophy. We mentioned that clearly in our media release. So it was natural that Dhoni answered questions related to that tournament only, N. Srinivasan told The Indian Express.

These media events are basically goodwill exercises. These are meant for sending goodwill to the team. But all we saw was bad blood, he said.

N. Srinivasan said Dhoni was right in staying silent. It was not the right platform. Yesterdays session was solely about the Indian team and Champions Trophy. How could IPL figure in that? he asked.

However,he said individual cricketers could speak their mind and the BCCI would not curb free speech. But they should stick to the BCCI code of conduct,he warned.

Its up to the individual. BCCI works in a democratic set-up and it doesnt have a clause that curbs free speech. We have a code of conduct for the players and they must adhere to team discipline. They can work or speak within the guidelines.

CHIEF OUSTER FACTS

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A THIRD (10) of BCCIs 31 voting members must write to board secretary asking him to pass a motion against president

SECRETARY will convene a special general body meeting (SGM)

IF TWO-THIRDS (21 members) vote against president at SGM,he must resign

IN CASE theres no SGM,Srinivasan will remain president until the AGM in September,when he completes his 2-year term. If he wants to continue,he will have to stand for re-election

A SPLIT BOARD

Had I been in his position,I would have quit. Ravi Savant,Mumbai Cricket Association chief

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Srinivasan should step down while Gurunath is under investigation. Can return if Gurunath is absolved.

Chetan Chauhan,Delhi District Cricket Association vice-president

Public mandate very clearly shows that he needs to step down. Important that he puts his conscience in right place. G Vinod,Hyderabad Cricket Association chief

I believe in all senses of the word propriety that Srinivasan must step aside. Jyotiraditya Scindia,MP Cricket Association chief