Prasun Mukherjee

Calcutta: Prasun Mukherjee’s panel swept the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) elections at the 76th annual general meeting on Saturday. Amitava Banerjee and Samar Paul were elected joint secretaries while Tushar Sarkar clinched the treasurer’s post.

Paul, who emerged victorious in his eighth attempt, polled the maximum 80 votes in a 118-strong electorate (one member was absent). Incumbent Banerjee retained his position with 57 votes. ‘Favourite’ Saradindu Pal crashed to his worst defeat managing only 40 votes. The other Jagmohan Dalmiya-backed candidate, Biswarup Dey was third at 50.

Sarkar defeated Shiv Kumar Kalyani by 68-50 votes.

Dalmiya’s blessings mattered little. So did personal equations and the prospect of cross-voting. What stood out in the end was Mukherjee’s charisma.

“This is a reward for my good work during the past six months. I hope to carry on in the same manner during my first full tenure as the CAB chief,” a contented Mukherjee said.

Besides his trusted vote bank, Paul managed to garner support from the crucial district voters and various splinter groups including the third front. A few members even resorted to voting for a single candidate for the two joint secretaries’ posts.

“A victory of transparency over vested interests,” was how an emotional Paul described his win.

A visibly upset Dey couldn’t hide his frustration. “Things could have been a lot different had Dalmiya been a little more active this time. Only if he had led from the front…” he lamented.

A veteran member put it down well. “Even a lesser-known Sarkar, who doesn’t command much influence and will draw a blank if he is to fight on his own, managed 68 votes.

“This election proves that Mukherjee has developed his own support bank and can survive without the administration’s backing. His rivals will struggle to make a dent in his vote bank in future.”

Only time will tell if this election will mark the beginning of a new era at the helm of Bengal cricket.

THE OFFICE BEARERS

President: Prasun Mukherjee (unopposed).

Vice-presidents: Nemai Charan Dutta, Russi Jeejeebhoy, Subhasish Sarkar, Indranath Dey (all unopposed).

Joint secretaries: Amitava Banerjee, Samar Paul.

Treasurer: Tushar Sarkar.