CAB amends constitution to keep Dalmiya as president

The Cricket Association of Bengal amended its constitution on Wednesday night to keep Jagmohan Dalmiya as the President of the Association. At a special general body meeting, the members of the CAB took a decsion to allow an office bearer to continue in office as long as he wanted through elections. Earlier, the rule in the Constitution of the CAB was that nobody would be allowed to hold on to their office for more than two successive terms.

By the new rule, anyone can contest an election every year to remain in position. The main reason for the amendment of the constitution was to keep Jagmohan Dalmiya as the President. Dalmiya's term was to end in July 2000 as the president. However, now he would be able to continue at his job. Of the 121 members in the CAB, 98 supported the change.

Talking at the Eden Gardens club house on Thursday, the joint secretary of the Association Debdas Bannerjee stated, "We are not denying the fact that we changed the constitution for Mr. Dalmiya. The CAB needs him. He is the man, who can mobilise funds for us. At the moment we need two-and-a-half crores to repair the galleries. Other than Mr. Dalmiya, nobody has the ability to raise such an amount. Also, if he is in the post, we will also be able to host good matches. There is nothing wrong in amending the constitution to keep such an able person at the top in the Association.''