By Sujoy Dhar Jul 30, 2006, 20:24 GMT
Kolkata, July 30 (IANS) Jagmohan Dalmiya Sunday became Indian cricket's most enduring hero when he was re-elected as the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) defeating West Bengal chief minister-backed challenger Prasun Mukherjee by five votes.
'I have got 61 votes while my rival garnered 56,' Dalmiya told reporters emerging out of the counting room accompanied by Mukherjee, whose loss is a severe blow to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and Bengal's fading cricket icon Sourav Ganguly who shunned his mentor in the run up to the polls much to the disappointment of his fans and an uncharitable media.
'I don't consider this a win or loss for anybody. I didn't enjoy fighting this election because I could not keep the chief minister's words. But I'm feeling happy because I have got a platform (to fight the current BCCI regime),' Dalmiya told reporters.
'I would have enjoyed winning. May be in next elections I will be back,' Mukherjee said smiling.
'We have created a record by not speaking against each other from very beginning,' Dalmiya said of his rival.
The result came as a drubbing to Bhattacharya who wanted Dalmiya to step aside from the elections so that Ganguly could return to the Indian squad by endearing himself to the present Sharad Pawar regime in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
A total of 117 representatives of various clubs, universities, districts and associations cast their ballots in the nail-biting elections to the state cricket body.
Dalmiya, who has been ruling the CAB since 1991, won the last election routing his rival 108-13 votes.
A win for Dalmiya was crucial since the CAB president's post is essential to fight the present BCCI regime that has slapped on him charges of fund misappropriation.
Thus the entire panel of Dalmiya also won.
Dalmiya supporters erupted in revelry outside the Eden Gardens. An unprecedented security cloak was thrown here ahead of the elections to the CAB polls.
The majestic Eden Gardens stadium, which has witnessed many a cricket cliffhanger, thus witnessed the most exciting match of all times.
Mukherjee had posed a tough challenge to Dalmiya for whom a win was essential to fight the regime that has slapped on him charges of fund misappropriation.
The high-voltage elections are also crucial to political leaders in West Bengal with Dalmiya spurning the chief minister's request of stepping aside from the poll fray so that Ganguly can return to the team by winning the hearts of the Sharad Pawar group.
However, a section of the ruling Left Front led by Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty has openly favoured Dalmiya.
Polling was held under the observation of the city civil court-appointed observer, Justice (retd) Santosh Kumar Phoujdar.
© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service
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