CPI(M) distances itself from Dalmiya issue

Kolkata, Aug 5 (UNI) Sweeping under the carpet the intra-party controversy over the Dalmiya issue, the CPI(M) today directed its leaders not to speak up in public on CAB affairs.

In a rare event when cricket overshadowed politics, the party's state secretariat discussed at length in a damage control mission the recent war of words between Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and veteran leader Jyoti Basu to come to the conclusion that CAB should not be a catalyst to a hitch in the party that came to the fore as never before over the past one week.

'' The way the CAB election involved the media and comments were passed by some of our leaders, including Ministers, led us to decide that the matter should end here. From henceforth no party functionary will make any comment on the issue, '' CPI(M) state Secretary Biman Basu said after the meeting, attended among others, by the Chief Minister and Mr Basu.

The Chief Minister briefed the members about the background, which led to his outburst against the CAB president on July 31.

While coming out of the meeting, Mr Basu said the secretariat had discussed the subject at length.

'' Yes, we discussed the issue. But our party does not have any unit in CAB and we do not have any role to play in the arena of sports. Neither did we have any link with the CAB nor do we have any now or will have in future, '' Mr Biman Bose said.

His statement hinged close to that of Mr Jyoti Basu, who had disapproved the Chief Minister's remarks saying the party did not put up any candidate in the CAB election to be bothered about the outcome.

The trouble started within the party after Mr Bhattacharjee made a surprise statement against CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya on July 31, calling him an 'evil' and declaring a 'war' for his ouster from the cricketing body.

His remarks came a day after Mr Dalmiya retained the post of CAB president for the 15th time, defeating city Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee, the Chief Minister's candidate, in an election that kicked up countrywide excitement and suspense.

However, distancing himself from any strike against Mr Dalmiya, Mr Jyoti Basu said the Chief Minister 'wronged' by making a public statement on CAB politics without talking to the party. The nonagenarian leader also asked the state secretary to issue a statement, declaring the party's neutral stand.

Adding to the embarrassment of the Government as well as the CPI(M), Sports Minister Subhash Chakraborty, a protege of Mr Jyoti Basu, and three other Ministers, representing Left Front partners Forward Bloc, RSP and CPI, came forward with open statements--all criticising Mr Bhattacharjee for politicising sports in the state.

The issue was lapped up by the Opposition leaders, including Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who demanded Mr Bhattacharjee's resignation.

The CPI(M) State Secretariat, which normally discusses organisation matters at its weekly meetings, devoted a long time discussing the subject in today's session seeking to stem the rot.

UNI KDG-AKM SJC PR VV1610