Chakraborty makes volte-face: calls for CP's unanimous election

Kolkata, Jan 24 (UNI) In a volte- face, West Bengal Sports Minister Subhash Chakraborty today appealed to the CAB functionaries to ensure unanimous election of city Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee as President.

''I appeal to all concerned not to put up any candidate against Mr Mukherjee. It should be the effort of all to ensure that he becomes the CAB President in the February 1 interim election,'' he told reporters at the state Secretariat.

''I also appeal that Mr Mukherjee remains in the post even after the annual election to be held in July this year,'' he said.

After having pitched his candidature against the police chief even by earning party displeasure, Mr Chakraborty made the U-turn barely 24-hours after he agreed not to contest following a request by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

After having been advised by veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu, the Sports Minister finally succumbed to party pressure after the chief minister and CPI(M) state Secretary Biman Basu asked him not to go ahead.

''I took the decision not to contest on the advise of Mr Jyoti Basu. He is my leader and mentor. Then the chief minister and Mr Biman Basu also requested me yesterday,'' he said.

Mr Chakraborty's statement came as a surprise as he was strongly opposed to a policeman becoming the President of the sports body.

Today being the last day for filing nomination, the police commissioner, who had unsuccessfully fought the last Cricket Association of Bengal election against Jagmohan Dalmiya with open support from the chief minister, was so far the lone candidate in the fray.

The February 1 interim election of CAB is being held to fill the post of President left vacant following Mr Dalmiya's resignation.

The maverick sport minister has created a strom in the state politics by suddenly announcing his decision to contest the CAB elections while participating in the CITU conference in Bangalore last week.

The announcement of Mr Chakraborty, who is known for having a penchant for getting into off and on tiffs with the chief minister, provided fodder for the smaller parties of the ruling Left Front to make the situation complex.

Having found themselves at a distance from the CPI(M) following the uproar over Singur and Nandigram issues, partners like the CPI and the RSP openly sided with the CPI(M) Minister, who seemed to be set for taking on his own party even running the risk of disciplinary action.

Fuelling the controversy, Water Resources Minister and CPI leader Nandagopal Bhattacharya had alleged that instructions were being issued by the Chief Minister's Office asking the district magistrates to provide support to the Police Commissioner to ensure his victory.

In the last CAB election held in July 2006, Mr Mukherjee had fought Mr Dalmiya with open support from the chief minister, who made a public statement wishing the ouster of Mr Dalmiya.

While the CPI(M) State Secretariat had issued an official statement asking Mr.Chakraborty not to contest, the Water Resources Minister observed that Mr.Chakraborty need not take his party's permission for contesting the CAB election.

UNI