The BCCI has convened a special general body meeting on May 22 in Mumbai to elect its new president after Shashank Manohar stepped down earlier this week. According to various office-bearers ESPNcricinfo spoke with, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has emerged as a favourite to replace Manohar.According to the rules, for Thakur to be elected one of the six member associations from the east zone will have to propose the board secretary’s name. If there is more than one nomination, then an election will be held. Thakur has the backing of powerful east zone members including Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Tripura and the National Cricket Club. Thakur reportedly has been calling members around the country to state his interest in the president’s post. The last date for filing nominations is May 21.Thakur will have to resign as BCCI secretary to contest for the president’s post. The newly elected president will then choose the new board secretary, according to BCCI members.Manohar stepped down on May 10 to contest for the post of ICC chairman, to which he was elected unopposed two days later. According to the ICC’s rules, the chairman has to be independent and cannot have a position with the respective home board. Manohar had been elected BCCI president in October 2015 – his second term – after the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya.