Dalmiya facing opposition on home turf

The ICC Chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya is facing opposition on his home turf. Dalmiya, who will be finishing his term as the President of the Cricket association of Bengal on July 31, 2000, is seeking renomination to the post for the second time. However, it appears that there are a number of affiliated units of the CAB that are opposing his re-nomination. A few members of the CAB are now stating that Dalmiya and his associates are flouting the Societies Act to become the President of the Association for an unprecendented second term.

According to information from sources in the CAB, a special general body meeting was held on Monday last to change the constitution of the Cricket Association of Bengal so that it would help Dalmiya to continue for the second term. However, three fourths of the Working Committee members were not present for the meeting to be in `order.' As a result, any amendment carried out at the meeting would be null and void, according to the Societies Act.

However, one of the CAB joint secretaries has a few different points to offer. Speaking on this issue, Debdas Banerjee said "the people who are raising objections are ignorant of the fact that the Registrar of Societies had passed an order in 1993 stating that at our meetings, the presence of three-fifths of the total number of members of any committee was sufficient enough for it to be in order." When asked if it was right for Dalmiya to continue as the CAB boss for the second time, Banerjee said, "At this moment, we have to continue with him. He is indispensable as far as running this association is concerned. I would like to invite those that are opposing him to run the show. Let them come forward. I've had my bitter differences with the President. However, at this point of time, we cannot do without Mr. Dalmiya.''

The ICC President has weathered many national and international storms in his role as cricket administrator. However, he has never faced opposition at home. There is no doubt that he will weather this storm also. But the fact is that voices of dissent are rising in the CAB against him.