‘Dalmiya wave’ set to reign in CAB polls

By Our Correspondent

Kolkata

July 28: All traces of Jagmohan Dalmiya were erased from the Cricket Association of Bengal premises a year ago as Prasun Mukherjee and his men stormed to power.

The scenario, however, is completely different on this occasion as the former cricket control board chief is set to regain lost ground and re-establish his supremacy in his ‘second home.’

Or, as the old timers in the state association say, "the ‘Dalmiya wave’ looks to be back in the CAB. Dalmiya’s panel might just have the last laugh riding on this wave.

"As for his tussle with Prasun (Mukherjee) for the president’s post, it should be a cakewalk for Dalmiya."

The former BCCI and CAB president has never lost in the state association elections and is confident that "history would repeat this time as well."

"I have always thought of achieving more and am hopeful of bagging 100 plus votes," an upbeat Dalmiya said on Monday.

On the other hand, the fact that the ruling group has never lost in the CAB polls seems to be giving Mukherjee some hope.

Although not as upbeat as his opponent, he appeared quite calm as far as his prospects were concerned. "Honestly speaking, I am not much worried about the results.

I am sure voters will judge on the basis of my panel’s performance in the last one-and-a half years of our tenure," Mukherjee said.

Although he does not agree that he is tense, things did get tight for Mukherjee days before Dalmiya officially announced his decision to contest the polls.

Not only did he comment with a worried face, "I think he (Dalmiya) will contest this time", but also feared the element of cross-voting that may turn out to be significant in determining the poll results.

Importantly, on the only occasion Mukherjee fought against Dalmiya back in 2006, he lost by five votes. Mukherjee’s loyalists, even a few weeks back, were sure of pocketing at least 65-70 votes out of 119, but at present, prefer to keep their fingers crossed.

"It will be a very close contest. Five to six votes could make the difference," a Mukherjee ally said the other day.

Comparing the two panels, it is the one led by Dalmiya that looks to have an edge, especially when it comes to the respective candidates for the post of trustee board chairman.

Ex-Bengal Ranji cricketer Punyabrata Dutta has far more illustrious credentials than his counterpart Deepak Dasgupta, who the ruling group claims to be a talented off spinner having played for Mysore some decades back.

However, a gruelling contest seems to be on cards for the post of joint-secretaries. With Arun Mitra (of the Dalmiya panel) supposedly considered as the weakest of the four candidates, Samar Paul and Amitava Banerjee, the ones in office at present, have their task cut out against Dalmiya’s staunchest backer Biswarup Dey.