I have only been advised not to contest CAB polls: Subhas

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Kolkata, Jan 20 West Bengal Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty has insisted that his left party has only 'advised' him against fighting the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) polls and not 'barred' him altogether.

Chakraborty, who was told by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Friday not to contest the

CAB polls against Kolkata top cop Prasun Mukherjee, said Friday night: 'I have read the statement. It has only advised me against fighting the elections and not barred me altogether.'

Chakraborty, who was adamant about contesting the polls, said Friday night on his arrival from

Bangalore: 'I have understood the meaning of it. Now I will try to make others understand.'

'I will first discuss it with my party leadership and then let you know. Whatever I have to say, I

shall on Jan 22.'

Chakraborty, known for his proximity with Jagmohan Dalmiya whose resignation necessitated the

elections for the CAB president's post, has vowed not to 'turn CAB into a police arena'.

If Chakraborty is not allowed to contest by the party, he would in all likelihood not give a walkover

to Mukherjee, a candidate with the backing of the chief minister.

In a move seen as an attempt to clip the wings of Chakraborty, the CPI-M, after its state committee

meeting, said in a statement: 'The party and the government are not involved in the elections. Comrade Subhas Chakraborty has been asked not to contest.'

The meeting was attended among others by Chakraborty's political mentor Jyoti Basu and his political rival Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharaya.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee Wednesday filed his nomination for the top post of CAB, putting at rest speculation that he might step aside after Chakraborty decided to contest.

Mukherjee had contested the poll last year too with support from Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, but he lost

to former Indian cricket board president Jagmohan Dalmiya.

On July 31 last year, Dalmiya, who had spurned the chief minister's request to step aside from the CAB

for the sake of Bengal cricket and Ganguly's future, won for the 15th time defeating Mukherjee 61-56

but stepped down Dec 29 after he was removed from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on fund misappropriation charges.

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