Basu supports Buddha on Dalmiya issue

KOLKATA: Veteran Marxist Jyoti Basu on Friday threw his weight behind Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, who has asked Jagmohan Dalmiya not to contest for the post of president of the Cricket Association of Bengal next month.

"Bengal Cricket is in a bad shape. After discussions, we empowered the chief minister and sports minister to deal with the matter (the issue of CAB elections) in the interest of cricket," Basu told newspersons after emerging from the CPI-M state secretariat and Left Front meetings which discussed the subject.

The nonagenarian political leader, who had earlier disapproved city police commissioner Prasun Mukherjee pitting  himself in the race for the CAB top post saying his job entailed full-time involvement, seemed to have softened his stand after Bhattacharjee's assurance at the meeting that Mukherjee would be able to perform both roles.

"Earlier, we didn't know the situation. Now, the CM has reported about the steps he is taking," Basu said.

"The Police Commissioner's job is a complicated, day-to-day job. Moreover, (in the event of victory), he will have to look after CAB too. But we've been assured by the chief minister that he will be able to perform both the jobs," Basu said.

He said that the party, however, would not be involved in the elections. "It is only in the interest of cricket, that we have told them (CM and sports minister) to take steps," he said.