The chorus for BCCI chief N Srinivasan's ouster today grew from within with Board heavyweights and some state units demanding his resignation as Sharad Pawar joined in the attack on him but the beleaguered cricket boss showed no signs of relenting under pressure.
Following all round attack on Srinivasan's continuance as BCCI Chief in the wake of arrest of his son-in-law and CSK team owner Gurunath Meiyappan on charges of betting in IPL, Board heavyweights --Rajeev Shukla and Arun Jaitley -- shed their reluctance on the issue.
As Srinivasan continued his defiance and brushed aside demands for his resignation, sources said that efforts were on to rally support among BCCI members to initiate steps for building more pressure so that he steps down on his own.
They said former BCCI Chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, who is believed to have backed Srinivasan during the weekend, may also come out with a statement against him.
"Till the pendency of inquiry, he (Srinivasan) should disassociate himself from the procedure as earlier also, it was discussed that he should disassociate. Disassociate, what it means is very clear.
"He will have to take a decision now. Mr Jaitley and I have suggested to him," Shukla said after meeting Jaitley.
"Credibility of the Board is supreme for us. We will act in the best interest of the Board and Indian cricket," he added.
Interestingly, Shukla did not utter the word resignation in his appeal to Srinivasan. Later, he announced that he would not run for another term as IPL Chairman in view of the current controversies bogging the Board in what is seen as intensifying the pressure on Srinivasan.
