Cricket Association of Bengal's AGM begins

The Cricket Association of Bengal's (CAB) annual general meeting at the Eden Gardens began this evening amidst unprecedented security.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, CAB president, is locked in a prestige fight with Prasun Mukherjee, the Kolkata police commissioner, who has the backing of West Bengal chief minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, for the post of president.

The elections, which have generated interest across the country following Bhattacharjee's statement on June 19 that he wanted Dalmiya to stay out of the presidential contest, is the fourth item on the agenda.

Dalmiya filed his nomination on July 21 ignoring Bhattacharjee's express wish that he stay away from the contest. In a break from CAB tradition, polling for all the posts - president, two joint secretaries, treasurer, and four vice presidents - would be held simultaneously, under court-appointed observer Justice (retd) S K Phoujdar. The results would be announced together.

Heavyweights from several fields are participating in the AGM which would see 118 affiliate units of the CAB voting to elect the office bearers of the game's governing body in the state.

Among those present are Ajit Panja, Trinamool Congress leader and former union minister, M J Akbar, Editor-in-chief of Asian Age, Srinjoy Bose, Executive Editor of Sambad Pratidin, besides several political leaders and police officials. &