Dalmiya wins CAB elections by five votes

Kolkata, July 30 (UNI) Jagmohan Dalmiya today became the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president for another term defeating opponent city police commissioner Prasun Mukherjee by five votes.

Immediately after winning the elections, Mr Dalmiya said he never intended to fight the elections against the Chief Minister's wishes but had to do it to get a platform to fight against the injustice meted out to him by the BCCI.

Talking to the press jointly with Mr Mukherjee, Mr Dalmiya said, ''It's a mixed feeling. While it feels happy to win the elections, I am also sad that I had to fight against the Chief Minister's wishes.'' He said, ''But I am very happy that this election was fought in a very friendly manner and in the spirit of the game and hope that Mr Mukherjee and myself will continue to work together for the betterment of Bengal's cricket. In fact, I asked him to come to CAB from the next week only.'' ''I needed this platform to prove a point and fight against the injustice from the BCCI,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Mukherjee said, ''Mr Dalmiya has won this election fair and square. I would have been happy to win it but I have no complaint as elections were fought in the most fair and free manner under the court-appointed observer.'' ''May be I will come back next year with a better result but Mr Dalmiya wants me back from next week only,''he said.

However, when asked about the numbers, Mr Dalmiya said numbers did not matter in such a close contest.

Mr Dalmiya won the elections by five votes, having polled 61 to 56. Mr Dalmiya further informed that counting was on for the Vice- President's post.

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