Dalmiya issue discussed in CPI(M) State Secretariat meeting

Kolkata, Aug 5 (UNI) The CPI(M) State Secretariat here today discussed at length the Jagmohan Dalmiya issue as cricket overshadowed politics.

''We have discussed issues at length, ''veteran Polit bureau member and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu told reporters after the meeting.

State Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was also present in the meeting.

Mr Bhattacharjee briefed the members about what actually happened and dwelt on the background, which led to his outburst against the CAB president.

Earlier, Mr Bhattacharjee had declared a ''war'' seeking ouster of Mr Dalmiya even though CPI(M) patriarch Jyoti Basu and the party stood neutral.

''Mr Dalmiya's victory in the CAB election is the victory of evil forces over the honest and good people. It's a victory of injustice over justice...I want to see him out and this war will be on till the mission is accomplisehed, '' he said.

His angry statement came a day after Mr Dalmiya retained the post 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.

In a public show of his ire, seldom seen before, the Chief Minister said Mr Dalmiya's presence was a setback for Bengal's cricket and efforts would be on to remove him from CAB. '' I want Mr Dalmiya to leave CAB and I still insist that he leaves the association,'' he added.

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