West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and CPI (M) patriarch Jyoti Basu seem to have strong views over the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) elections.
A day after police commissioner Prasun Mukherjee announced his candidature for the post of the CAB President, Bhattacharjee asked Jagmohan Dalmiya not to contest the election. Basu, meanwhile, expressed his disapproval of Mukherjee's decision to contest the elections.
Bhattacharjee, speaking to reporters at the Writers' Buildings on Monday, said, "I want that he (Dalmiya) should not contest the CAB elections. State Transport and Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty will talk to Dalmiya on Tuesday and ask him not to contest. I have also spoken to the minister in this regard."
The chief minister also said that former India captain Sourav Ganguly should take some responsibilities in the elections.
Meanwhile, Basu disapproved of Mukherjee's candidature. Speaking with the Hindustan Times on Monday, Basu said: "I'm not interested in cricket. But the police commissioner's job is a full-time job, a crucial job. His cricket assignments should not affect his job.”
Chakraborty told reporters: “I have discussed the issue with the chief minister. I will convey the CM's desire to Dalmiya.”
Asked if he had told Dalmiya not to contest, Chakraborty said: “Who am I to say this? But if I were in his position, I would have stepped down.”
{{/usCountry}}Asked if he had told Dalmiya not to contest, Chakraborty said: “Who am I to say this? But if I were in his position, I would have stepped down.”
{{/usCountry}}Interestingly, two weeks ago, the State Municipal Affairs minister Ashoke Bhattacharjee had also said that Dalmiya should not contest the election, “for the betterment of Bengal cricket”.