IGP Choudhuri makes Mahto bite dust in cricket poll

Bokaro, May 14 (UNI) Jharkhand Home and Sports Minister Sudesh Mahto today received a major jolt when he was humbled by Inspector General of Police and former team India manager Amitabh Choudhuri in a sharp battle for the presidential post of Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA).

Mr Choudhuri retained his post sailing through comfortably, drubbing the state home minister by a margin of 101 votes.

Today's high voltage election conducted amid unprecedented security measures generated huge interest as Mr Mahto had been pitted against Mr Choudhuri, the present incumbment.

Mr Choudhuri polled 400 votes against Mr Mahto's 299 while three votes were nullified. A total of 703 votes were cast out of 955 members of the JSCA.

People in this region had never witnessed such a high profile election of erstwhile Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) in the past, which has been rechristened as JSCA.

The voting for the election of office-bearers of JSCA began here at 0900 hrs.

Earlier in the morning, former test player Saba Karim campaigning for Mr Mahto, expressed displeasure over the arrangement after casting his vote. Mr Choudhury dismissed the allegation saying the association left no stone unturned to make the polling smooth.

Meanwhile, the situation remained tense following the declaration of the results even as the administration took all meaasures to counter any clash between the two groups.

The JSCA had sought adequate security arrangments from the district administration during election at Kala Kendra, where election was held.

Security had been beefed up and about 450 policemen deployed at Kala Kendra.

No unauthorised persons were allowed to enter the election centre.

Even the bodyguards of the candidates were not allowed inside the election centre, sources said.

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