IGP Choudhuri makes minister Mahto bite dust in cricket poll

Bokaro, May 14 (UNI) Jharkhand's Home and Sports Minister Sudesh Mahto bit the dust as Inspector General of Police and former team India manager Amitabh Choudhury won the battle for the president's post of Jharkahand State Cricket Association (JSCA).

Mr Choudhuri retained his post, beating the minister by a margin of 101 votes yesterday.

The high-voltage election generated huge interest as Mr Mahto had been pitted against Mr Choudhury, the 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 the erstwhile Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) in the past, which has been rechristened as JSCA.

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

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

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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