I resigned as CA1815B president to take battle to BCCI: Dalmiya

Kolkata, Dec 27 (UNI) After resigning from CAB presidentship, Jagmohan Dalmiya today vowed to ''clear his name'' from the allegations levelled against him by the BCCI.

Talking to UNI, Mr Dalmiya said, ''I will see an end to it. I want to clear my name from the allegations that have been levelled against me. I will go all out now as I am not limited by any BCCI rules now. I will take the battle to them.'' Mr Dalmiya had been engaged in a legal barb with BCCI since 2005 after being charged with misappropriation of fund of PILCOM account.

In an emotional letter, Mr Dalmiya bid adieu to his colleagues in Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) as he was more concerned about the development of cricket in the state and did not want it to be at the receiving end because of his legal barb with the powers that be in BCCI. This also drew curtain on his 14-year reign at the helm of CAB.

The Working Committee meeting will discuss the matter in its meeting at the CAB this evening today.

In the letter addressed to the members of the working committee, Mr Dalmiya said, ''It is a matter of deep regret that in an unprecedented vindictive move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has intended to remove me arbitrarily and illegally from Indian Cricket on certain baseless, false and malicious allegations. Even after failing to substantiate any charge against me in any Court of Law, the present regime of BCCI has not only decided to expel me, but has also taken a number of motivated steps to cause serious harm and prejudice to the game of cricket in Bengal.'' ''I will continue to fight against any injustice on my own accord. I am sure that my stand would be fully vindicated through due process of law, in which I have full confidence. I am also confident that I would fully regain the opportunity to continue to serve the game of cricket with all honour,'' he said in the letter.

''I have nursed the CAB and Bengal Cricket for the last 30 years with dedication, devotion and determination. I am confident that the CAB, which has grown in stature over the years through a lot of blood, sweat, toil and tears, will not bow down to any uncalled for and unjustified pressure as well as vindictive action of the present BCCI regime,'' he added.

Mr Dalmiya said, ''I want to clear my name from all allegations.

This is my priority now. But am not taking a sanyas from the game. I may return after getting my name cleared, God willing.'' ''What they have done is against the spirit of the game. I will fight it to the end,'' he said, getting emotional.

Mr Dalmiya was banned for life from BCCI under Sec 30 (V) of the Board constitution and banned from holding any office under BCCI-affiliated units.

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